PHOENIX—The WNBA season started almost a month in the past, and the league is now in its fourth weekend of motion. The Phoenix Mercury is one group strengthening its roster as its regular 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 can be with out A’ja Wilson resulting from concussion protocol. Sunday marks the start of a four-game highway journey for Phoenix.
Kahleah Copper “trending towards enjoying” in Sunday’s recreation at Las Vegas
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts famous the group missed Copper’s impactful and dynamic scoring, athleticism, versatility, and contributions on each ends of the courtroom throughout the early portion of the season. He acknowledged the indicators that Copper could be returning to the group.
“I feel the final couple practices, Kahleah (Copper) is trending towards enjoying,” Tibbetts mentioned 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 as we speak.”
On Friday’s open apply inside PHX Enviornment, Mercury gamers practiced in entrance of their followers, often called the X-Issue, and one of many optimistic indicators for the group 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 pictures on the primary attempt. 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 making an attempt 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 employees for the preparation for her return and restoration course of.
Final season, Copper had an excellent 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 mentioned Saturday. “Main shout out to our (energy and conditioning) employees, we’ve got the perfect employees. Shout out to Nick (U’Ren, the group’s normal supervisor) and all people who did such an ideal job in placing this collectively. Hannah (Wengertsman) has been nice for me, popping out of surgical procedure and simply sort 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 extremely huge week for me wrapping up. So only a main shout out to our (energy and conditioning) employees, as a result of they have been nice in supporting me and getting me to right here proper now.”
Copper is “excited” to group up with Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally
Copper is worked up to group up with forwards Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally for the primary time. She expressed how vital it’s for all three gamers to come back collectively, construct group chemistry, and obtain success as a unit.
Copper talked about in coaching camp the Mercury is specializing in the defensive finish first and the way to disrupt the opponent’s offense. Phoenix ranks fourth within the league in defensive score 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 mentioned. “I had been on the bench, simply so hyped, simply watching them have a lot success, and that is what I wished. Within the low season, once I was bugging them about coming right here, that is what I wished. I wished to come back right here, have success and luxuriate in it with me. So for me to be near being there with them, I am excited.”
Copper is assured that she’s going to shortly regulate to the group 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 group’s success in constructing the suitable chemistry.
The Phoenix Mercury have a 7-4 report after 11 video games, marking their finest begin because the 2018 season. It’s notable to see how snug the gamers have gotten with Tibbetts’ teaching system, specializing in pacing and defensive depth.
“It’s going to be fairly fast,” Copper mentioned. “For our system and what we’re attempting to do, it’s going to be fairly simple. And we’ve got a while collectively, then we’ve got some extra time collectively. So we’re gonna be effective.”
Copper shared that she gained some optimistic insights throughout her rehabilitation course of. She spoke about how she related together 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 mentioned. “It pressured 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 employees, attempting to get stronger and get again on the market on the courtroom.”
What the Phoenix Mercury will now seem like
Tibbetts famous that group chemistry will stay unchanged with the returns of Copper and Mack, though he talked about it’s a completely different system centered 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 assume it’s going to alter. The great factor with (Natasha) Mack and (Kahleah Copper) is that they’ve each been right here,” Tibbetts mentioned. “It’s a special system, however they had been right here all by means of coaching camp, and we appreciated 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) just a little bit, however we’re going to determine it out.”
Copper is thrilled to group up together 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 impression she is making on the level for Phoenix.
“I am excited,” Copper mentioned. “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 score, with a rating of 99.5.
With Copper’s return, she will be able to 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 mentioned. “There are shooters round me, so it additionally opened up the driving lanes for me. So I feel 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 group. She made her debut throughout Wednesday’s house recreation in opposition to the Dallas Wings after lacking almost a month of motion resulting from a again damage. All through her restoration, she centered on her rehabilitation course of alongside Copper.
Mack acknowledges the joy surrounding Copper’s return and its impression on the Phoenix Mercury’s offense.
“I imply, who’s not excited?” Mack mentioned. “It is Kahleah (Copper). Like she’s the offensive energy we’d like additionally, like we’d like all people on the ground, however (Kahleah Copper) brings that have.”
