PHOENIX—The WNBA season started practically a month in the past, and the league is now in its fourth weekend of motion. The Phoenix Mercury is one workforce strengthening its roster as its ordinary starters reserves return to full energy.
Mercury wing Kahleah Copper is listed as possible for Sunday’s recreation on the highway in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces, who will probably be with out A’ja Wilson because of concussion protocol. Sunday marks the start of a four-game highway journey for Phoenix.
Kahleah Copper “trending towards taking part in” in Sunday’s recreation at Las Vegas
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts famous the workforce missed Copper’s impactful and dynamic scoring, athleticism, versatility, and contributions on each ends of the courtroom in the course of the early portion of the season. He acknowledged the indicators that Copper could be returning to the workforce.
“I believe the final couple practices, Kahleah (Copper) is trending towards taking part in,” Tibbetts stated Friday. “We clearly have missed her. I do know she’s tremendous excited to get going. We’re tremendous excited to get her again. It was good to have her on the market for the total apply at present.”
On Friday’s open apply inside PHX Area, Mercury gamers practiced in entrance of their followers, often called the X-Issue, and one of many constructive indicators for the workforce is Copper was a full participant.
Throughout the half-court taking pictures apply on the finish of the session, Copper and her teammates—Sami Whitcomb, Natasha Mack, and Satou Sabally—efficiently made their photographs on the primary strive. This accomplishment thrilled the followers, showcasing the thrilling potential of the newly revamped Mercury after a whirlwind offseason in Phoenix.
Copper energized the gang earlier than trying her second half-court shot. When it went in, each followers and teammates erupted with pleasure, instilling optimism within the new-look squad.
Heard ya’ll missed KFC…
She misses ya’ll too. pic.twitter.com/g41wbf0DwZ
— PHNX Mercury (@PHNX_Mercury) June 13, 2025
Copper missed the final 4 weeks after present process left knee arthroscopy. She credited the Phoenix Mercury’s coaching workers for the preparation for her return and restoration course of.
Final season, Copper had an impressive yr with the Mercury after being traded from the Chicago Sky, the place she was named the Finals MVP throughout their championship run in 2021. She averaged 21.1 factors, 4.5 rebounds, and a couple of.3 assists per recreation for Phoenix, incomes a spot on the All-WNBA Second Staff.
“I have been feeling nice,” Copper stated Saturday. “Main shout out to our (energy and conditioning) workers, we now have one of the best workers. Shout out to Nick (U’Ren, the workforce’s normal supervisor) and everyone who did such an amazing job in placing this collectively. Hannah (Wengertsman) has been nice for me, popping out of surgical procedure and simply type of rehabbing and getting again.
“So that is week 4 for me, so I am simply taking it day-by-day. This week has been a very massive week for me wrapping up. So only a main shout out to our (energy and conditioning) workers, as a result of they have been nice in supporting me and getting me to right here proper now.”
Copper is “excited” to workforce up with Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally
Copper is worked up to workforce up with forwards Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally for the primary time. She expressed how essential it’s for all three gamers to return collectively, construct workforce chemistry, and obtain success as a unit.
Copper talked about in coaching camp the Mercury is specializing in the defensive finish first and disrupt the opponent’s offense. Phoenix ranks fourth within the league in defensive ranking per recreation with 97.5.
The countdown to the desert debut of this new Phoenix trio has formally begun ⏳
🎟️ June twenty seventh tickets vs NY! https://t.co/eoW5tcKkUq pic.twitter.com/Q5zvXJ359r
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 15, 2025
“I am so excited,” Copper stated. “I had been on the bench, simply so hyped, simply watching them have a lot success, and that is what I needed. Within the low season, once I was bugging them about coming right here, that is what I needed. I needed to return right here, have success and revel in it with me. So for me to be near being there with them, I am excited.”
Copper is assured that she is going to rapidly alter to the workforce chemistry, particularly with ten new gamers on the roster, together with six rookies. Copper famous she may have extra time to spend with Thomas and Sabally to assist make sure the workforce’s success in constructing the correct chemistry.
The Phoenix Mercury have a 7-4 report after 11 video games, marking their finest begin for the reason that 2018 season. It’s notable to see how snug the gamers have gotten with Tibbetts’ teaching system, specializing in pacing and defensive depth.
“It will be fairly fast,” Copper stated. “For our system and what we’re attempting to do, it’s going to be fairly straightforward. And we now have a while collectively, then we now have some extra time collectively. So we’re gonna be fantastic.”
Copper shared that she gained some constructive insights throughout her rehabilitation course of. She spoke about how she related along with her religion and developed a ardour for weight coaching whereas getting ready for her return to the Mercury. She additionally expressed gratitude to Phoenix for supporting her in her long-term preparations.
“I simply tapped into my religion, stayed levelheaded and trusted the method,” Copper stated. “It compelled me to take a seat down, fall in love with the load room. Everyone is aware of I hate it in there, however simply locking in with him and our workers, attempting to get stronger and get again on the market on the courtroom.”
What the Phoenix Mercury will now seem like
Tibbetts famous that workforce chemistry will stay unchanged with the returns of Copper and Mack, though he talked about it’s a totally different system targeted on position-less basketball.
Kahleah Copper letting it fly at shootaround this morning pic.twitter.com/MPJA4JnjtF
— PHNX Mercury (@PHNX_Mercury) June 14, 2025
“I don’t suppose it’s going to alter. The great factor with (Natasha) Mack and (Kahleah Copper) is that they’ve each been right here,” Tibbetts stated. “It’s a special system, however they have been right here all by coaching camp, and we favored what we noticed, and we’re excited the place we’re headed. I’m certain there’s gonna be some rust with (Natasha) Mack and (Copper) slightly bit, however we’re going to determine it out.”
Copper is thrilled to workforce up along with her fellow guard, Monique Akoa Makani, because the beginning backcourt for the Mercury. She appreciates Akoa Makani’s aggressive fashion on each ends of the courtroom and acknowledges the affect she is making on the level for Phoenix.
“I am excited,” Copper stated. “Monique (Akoa Makani) has been nice defensively and offensively, simply discovering herself inside what we’re attempting to do and having that clever aggression. She is aware of when it is time for her to take over and when it is time for her to do different issues. So shout out to (Monique Akoa Makani). Shout out to our rookies for simply stepping up and being nice.”
The Phoenix Mercury presently rank eighth within the league in quick break factors per recreation, averaging 10.2, and ninth in factors scored within the paint per recreation with a median of 30.9. Moreover, they’re ranked ninth in offensive ranking, with a rating of 99.5.
With Copper’s return, she will enhance these statistics and spacing for the Phoenix Mercury, as they’ve missed her offensive firepower.
“It is gonna complement me so effectively, as a result of if I am seeing assist, I am spraying to shooters,” Copper stated. “There are shooters round me, so it additionally opened up the driving lanes for me. So I believe not solely does it complement me, but in addition I complement them. So it’s going to be enjoyable for me.”
Mack, a ahead, is certainly one of solely two returning gamers from final yr’s workforce. She made her debut throughout Wednesday’s dwelling recreation in opposition to the Dallas Wings after lacking practically a month of motion because of a again harm. All through her restoration, she targeted on her rehabilitation course of alongside Copper.
Mack acknowledges the thrill surrounding Copper’s return and its affect on the Phoenix Mercury’s offense.
“I imply, who’s not excited?” Mack stated. “It is Kahleah (Copper). Like she’s the offensive energy we’d like additionally, like we’d like everyone on the ground, however (Kahleah Copper) brings that have.”
