For the primary time in 2025, the Phoenix Mercury had all of Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally accessible for a similar sport, and the end result was what that they had hoped: a 76-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces.
Copper, who led the Mercury in scoring final yr at 21.1 factors per sport, missed the primary 11 video games of the season after present process a knee arthroscopy in mid-Might, whereas Thomas had battled a calf damage that stored her out for a handful of video games initially of June. Phoenix carried out admirably with out the duo, getting key contributions from a number of complementary gamers alongside Sabally, however it was clear that the crew’s ceiling can be restricted till its stars bought wholesome.
As of final Sunday, that second has come, though Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts remains to be preaching persistence, particularly in the case of Copper’s reintegration into the lineup.
“I imply, it’s going to take a minute,” Tibbetts stated after the Mercury’s win over Las Vegas. “The rotations are a bit of bit totally different simply because Kah’s on a minutes restriction … she was working four-minute stretches and that’s not sometimes what she does.”
Copper performed slightly below 18 minutes in opposition to the Aces, scoring 11 factors on 4-of-9 capturing from the sphere. Thomas, in the meantime, recorded one other double-double of 14 factors and 13 assists, but in addition dedicated seven turnovers in 29 minutes.
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If we’ve come to count on one factor from the 2025 Mercury, although, it’s that even once they aren’t enjoying their greatest as a unit, one or two gamers will step up and assist see issues by means of. On Sunday, that participant was veteran capturing guard Sami Whitcomb, who knocked down 4 of Phoenix’s 9 3-pointers and scored 18 factors off the bench—an important contribution on an evening when the Mercury shot simply 38.4 % from the sphere and 28.1 % from deep.
Phoenix is now 8-4 and stays in fourth place within the WNBA standings. Given all the things the crew has gone by means of early within the season, that’s fairly the achievement, and it’ll look even higher if its present stretch of highway video games goes as deliberate.
A matchup in opposition to the Liberty highlights the Mercury’s ongoing highway journey
The Mercury’s win over the Aces kicked off a four-game highway journey, which can be their longest of the 2025 season up to now. Such stretches are daunting duties for any crew, however after seeing what he noticed in opposition to Las Vegas, Tibbetts is optimistic.
“I feel that’s why I’m enthusiastic about this highway journey,” Tibbetts commented. “Our rookies have performed extraordinarily nicely. I imply, they’ve been superior, however it’s only a it’s an entire one other factor whenever you go on the highway, and that’s why you bought to have veterans like Sami.”
On the Mercury’s docket are video games in opposition to the Connecticut Solar (2-9) and Chicago Sky (3-8), which, on paper, are favorable matchups. Phoenix’s sport in opposition to the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty (10-1), who the Mercury have but to play this season, can be significantly harder; New York presently leads the league in each offensive (110.8) and defensive ranking (91.3), and with a large frontcourt that features Jonquel Jones (6-foot-6) and Breanna Stewart (6-foot-5), the Mercury could have a troublesome time getting beauty on the rim.
Phoenix will clearly be counting on its transition sport, which is usually fueled by Copper working the ground and Thomas distributing, to offset the distinction in peak. A wholesome Natasha Mack ought to assist, too; the 6-foot-4 heart, whose rim-running and shot-blocking are her greatest strengths, started the season recovering from a again damage, however in two video games since returning to the Mercury’s lineup, she’s averaged 4.5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.5 blocks in 13.8 minutes performed.
