Aces’ betting line moves with Brittney Griner out with injury

The Aces will open their pursuit of a third straight WNBA championship against the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday at Michelob Ultra Arena.

The Aces shot up from 13½-point to 15½-point favorites Monday afternoon when Phoenix center Brittney Griner was ruled out with a toe fracture in her left foot.

Westgate SuperBook oddsmaker Jeff Sherman opened the Aces higher than the rest of the market because he said Monday morning he expected Griner to miss the opener.

“I opened the Aces up 14½, and there’s 13½ out there, because I saw Friday that Brittney Griner’s in a walking boot,” Sherman said. “I’d be surprised if she plays, just based on seeing the pictures out there. I expect that line to go up.”

Griner, tied for the 25-1 fifth choice at the Westgate to win the MVP award, didn’t play in Phoenix’s 98-85 preseason loss to Los Angeles on Friday. A photo posted on X showed Griner on a scooter before the game with a walking boot on her left foot.

The SuperBook lowered the line to 14 on Monday morning after taking money on the Mercury +14½. Sherman said the move was based on market difference.

The Aces were -13 at Circa Sports on Monday morning before soaring as high as 16½ at Boyd Gaming on Monday afternoon.

The consensus total is 169½.

Sherman bet on the Aces -13½, mostly because he didn’t expect Griner to play.

“It will be tough for (Phoenix) going against the Aces bringing everybody back, because the Mercury have a new influx of players,” Sherman said. “It might take them a couple games to get some chemistry going.”

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on X.