How long is Chelsea Gray out? Foot injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Aces star in WNBA Finals

The Las Vegas Aces are one win away from their second consecutive WNBA title, but they've been dealt an incredible blow in the midst of their championship chase.

Late in Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals, Chelsea Gray suffered an apparent left foot injury. A visibly hobbled Gray remained in the game for one play before the Aces called a timeout. At that point, Gray hopped to the Aces' locker room, as it appeared she was no longer able to put weight on her foot.

Gray, an All-WNBA guard and the reigning Finals MVP, is one of the most important pieces to Las Vegas' success. Her injury places a cloud over the Aces' ability to earn one more win.

Here is everything we know about Gray's injury and her status moving forward.

MORE: How the Aces and Liberty built historically talented rosters

What is Chelsea Gray's injury?

There have been no updates on the designation of Gray's injury outside of it being an apparent left foot issue.

Following Sunday's Game 3, Aces head coach Becky Hammon did not comment further on the injury, and the team did not speak with the media on Monday.

The injury appeared to occur when Gray was guarding Liberty star Breanna Stewart in the post.

Chelsea Gray is a game-changer. A series-changer. Hoping her injury isn’t as serious as it looked. pic.twitter.com/LUrIVlURtr

— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) October 16, 2023

How long will Chelsea Gray be out?

Chelsea Gray will be out for Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, per Hammon.

Gray told reporters that if the Liberty force a Game 5, she will be re-evaluated in Las Vegas to see if a return is possible,

Chelsea Gray replacements: Who could play for Aces?

The injury to Gray is especially alarming given the fact that the Aces have a six-player rotation due to the absence of Candace Parker. If Gray is set to miss any time in the series, Hammon will look elsewhere to round out the rotation and avoid the unsustainable model of relying on just five players.

Two players in particular could be called upon to log more minutes:

Sydney Colson

A veteran guard, Colson appeared in 28 games during the regular season, scoring a season-high six points in a nine-point loss to the Liberty in late August.

Kierstan Bell

Bell, who entered the game following Gray's injury, is a second-year wing who averaged 11.8 minutes per game this year. Bell was a double-digit scorer in three games during the regular season, including a season-high 15 points in a blowout win over the Dream.

Here is what Hammon had to say regarding possible lineup changes:

We shuffle [Kelsey Plum] over, and Jackie [Young] will get some duties. Maybe we see [Colson]. Syd likes to get in there, mix it up every now and then. But we do it by committee. ... No one person's going to replace her. Everybody steps up and does a little bit more.

As Hammon explained, it's impossible to get a one-for-one replacement for Gray, but Plum and Young are both stars who could step up to help Las Vegas get that final win.

MORE: The latest news on Candace Parker's foot injury and potential return

WNBA Finals schedule 2023

*If necessary

Chelsea Gray stats in 2023 WNBA Playoffs

• 15.6 points per game
• 6.8 assists per game
• 4.8 rebounds per game
• 1.5 steals per game
• 43.6 percent field goal shooting
• 35.5 percent 3-point field goal shooting
• 100.0 percent free throw shooting