Griner could miss matchup vs. Chicago

Mercury already without suspended guard Taurasi

Center Brittner Griner is uncertain for the Phoenix Mercury's game Wednesday against Chicago due to back spasms, potentially leaving the Mercury with only seven active players.

The 6-foot-9 Griner did not practice Tuesday when the Mercury prepared for the prospect of playing a game without her and guard Diana Taurasi, who is suspended for reaching the WNBA's technical foul limit. She is listed as probable on the official injury report.

“It’s a muscle injury, so hopefully (Griner) is good to go,” Mercury coach Sandy Brondello said. “We’ve got to play with a lot more ball movement, a lot more aggressiveness. Everyone, if they’re open, they have to look to shoot it. And if she’s there, we have to do a better job getting her the ball. She’s got to work harder to get open, but we’ve got to do a better job being able to pass the ball into there.”

Griner scored 36 points, two off her career high, in a win over Indiana on July 15 then 19 against Las Vegas and 10 against Minnesota, both losses. The Mercury (15-10) have dropped five of their last six games.

Taurasi was at practice Tuesday but did not comment. She missed 2 1⁄2 quarters in an 80-75 loss to Minnesota on Saturday after an ejection for drawing two technicals.

The Mercury also are without guard Leilani Mitchell, who will miss a second

WEDNESDAY’S GAME Chicago Sky at Mercury

When: 12:30 p.m. Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.

Outlook: The Mercury (15-10) will be without guard Diana Taurasi due to suspension for the fourth time since 2013. They dropped two games in 2013 with her out for too many technical fouls, including one to Chicago, and beat San Antonio 83-64 without her for that reason in 2016 … Like the Mercury, the Sky (8-17) have lost five of their last six games, with the exception being a 114-99 win over Dallas on July 20 when G Courtney Vandersloot had the seventh triple-double (13 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists) in WNBA history. Chicago then lost its next game to Los Angeles 93-76 on Sunday … Information on preventing bullying will be presented during this game, and more is available at muststopbullying.org. game Wednesday for personal reasons, and forward Sancho Lyttle, out since suffering a season-ending knee injury June 30.

The Mercury plan to sign a veteran post to a pro-rated minimum salary contract on Sunday, when they can absorb that cost and remain under the salary-cap limit.

Taurasi, Griner and DeWanna Bonner are scheduled to play in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday. After the All-Star Game, the Mercury have eight regular-season games remaining, starting with back-to-back games against Seattle and Las Vegas on July 31 and Aug. 1.