How Her Return Benefits Phoenix!


PHOENIX—The WNBA season began nearly a month ago, and the league is now in its fourth weekend of action. The Phoenix Mercury is one team strengthening its roster as its usual starters reserves return to full strength.

Mercury wing Kahleah Copper is listed as probable for Sunday’s game on the road against the Las Vegas Aces, who will be without A’ja Wilson due to concussion protocol. Sunday marks the beginning of a four-game road trip for Phoenix.  

Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury WNBA
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Kahleah Copper “trending toward playing” in Sunday’s game at Las Vegas

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts noted the team missed Copper’s impactful and dynamic scoring, athleticism, versatility, and contributions on both ends of the court during the early portion of the season. He recognized the signs that Copper would be returning to the team.

“I think the last couple practices, Kahleah (Copper) is trending toward playing,” Tibbetts said Friday. “We obviously have missed her. I know she’s super excited to get going. We’re super excited to get her back. It was nice to have her out there for the full practice today.”

On Friday’s open practice inside PHX Arena, Mercury players practiced in front of their fans, known as the X-Factor, and one of the positive signs for the team is Copper was a full participant.

During the half-court shooting practice at the end of the session, Copper and her teammates—Sami Whitcomb, Natasha Mack, and Satou Sabally—successfully made their shots on the first try. This accomplishment thrilled the fans, showcasing the exciting potential of the newly revamped Mercury after a whirlwind offseason in Phoenix.

Copper energized the crowd before attempting her second half-court shot. When it went in, both fans and teammates erupted with excitement, instilling optimism in the new-look squad.

Copper missed the last four weeks after undergoing left knee arthroscopy. She credited the Phoenix Mercury’s training staff for the preparation for her return and recovery process.

Last season, Copper had an outstanding year with the Mercury after being traded from the Chicago Sky, where she was named the Finals MVP during their championship run in 2021. She averaged 21.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game for Phoenix, earning a spot on the All-WNBA Second Team.

“I’ve been feeling great,” Copper said Saturday. “Major shout out to our (strength and conditioning) staff, we have the best staff. Shout out to Nick (U’Ren, the team’s general manager) and everybody who did such a great job in putting this together. Hannah (Wengertsman) has been great for me, coming out of surgery and just kind of rehabbing and getting back.

“So this is week four for me, so I’m just taking it day-by-day. This week has been a really big week for me wrapping up. So just a major shout out to our (strength and conditioning) staff, because they’ve been great in supporting me and getting me to here right now.”

Copper is “excited” to team up with Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally

Copper is excited to team up with forwards Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally for the first time. She expressed how important it is for all three players to come together, build team chemistry, and achieve success as a unit.

Copper mentioned in training camp the Mercury is focusing on the defensive end first and how to disrupt the opponent’s offense. Phoenix ranks fourth in the league in defensive rating per game with 97.5.

“I’m so excited,” Copper said. “I had been on the bench, just so hyped, just watching them have so much success, and that’s what I wanted. In the off-season, when I was bugging them about coming here, this is what I wanted. I wanted to come here, have success and enjoy it with me. So for me to be close to being there with them, I’m excited.”

Copper is confident that she will quickly adjust to the team chemistry, especially with ten new players on the roster, including six rookies. Copper noted she will have more time to spend with Thomas and Sabally to help ensure the team’s success in building the right chemistry.

The Phoenix Mercury have a 7-4 record after 11 games, marking their best start since the 2018 season. It is notable to see how comfortable the players are becoming with Tibbetts’ coaching system, focusing on pacing and defensive intensity.

“It’ll be pretty quick,” Copper said. “For our system and what we’re trying to do, it’ll be pretty easy. And we have some time together, then we have some more time together. So we’re gonna be fine.”

Copper shared that she gained some positive insights during her rehabilitation process. She spoke about how she connected with her faith and developed a passion for weight training while preparing for her return to the Mercury. She also expressed gratitude to Phoenix for supporting her in her long-term preparations.

“I just tapped into my faith, stayed levelheaded and trusted the process,” Copper said. “It forced me to sit down, fall in love with the weight room. Everybody knows I hate it in there, but just locking in with him and our staff, trying to get stronger and get back out there on the court.”

What the Phoenix Mercury will now look like

Tibbetts noted that team chemistry will remain unchanged with the returns of Copper and Mack, although he mentioned it is a different system focused on position-less basketball.

“I don’t think it’s going to change. The good thing with (Natasha) Mack and (Kahleah Copper) is that they’ve both been here,” Tibbetts said. “It’s a different system, but they were here all through training camp, and we liked what we saw, and we’re excited where we’re headed. I’m sure there’s gonna be some rust with (Natasha) Mack and (Copper) a little bit, but we’re going to figure it out.”

Copper is thrilled to team up with her fellow guard, Monique Akoa Makani, as the starting backcourt for the Mercury. She appreciates Akoa Makani’s aggressive style on both ends of the court and recognizes the impact she is making at the point for Phoenix.

“I’m excited,” Copper said. “Monique (Akoa Makani) has been great defensively and offensively, just finding herself within what we’re trying to do and having that intelligent aggression. She knows when it’s time for her to take over and when it’s time for her to do other things. So shout out to (Monique Akoa Makani). Shout out to our rookies for just stepping up and being great.”

The Phoenix Mercury currently rank eighth in the league in fast break points per game, averaging 10.2, and ninth in points scored in the paint per game with an average of 30.9. Additionally, they are ranked ninth in offensive rating, with a score of 99.5.

With Copper’s return, she can improve these statistics and spacing for the Phoenix Mercury, as they have missed her offensive firepower.

“It’s gonna complement me so well, because if I’m seeing help, I’m spraying to shooters,” Copper said. “There are shooters around me, so it also opened up the driving lanes for me. So I think not only does it complement me, but also I complement them. So it’ll be fun for me.”

Mack, a forward, is one of only two returning players from last year’s team. She made her debut during Wednesday’s home game against the Dallas Wings after missing nearly a month of action due to a back injury. Throughout her recovery, she focused on her rehabilitation process alongside Copper.

Mack recognizes the excitement surrounding Copper’s return and its impact on the Phoenix Mercury’s offense.

“I mean, who’s not excited?” Mack said. “It’s Kahleah (Copper). Like she’s the offensive power we need also, like we need everybody on the floor, but (Kahleah Copper) brings that experience.”





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