West Wood blvd – 15 May 2026 | Kahleah Copper sparked excitement for Phoenix fans on Friday when she poured in 30 points against the Minnesota Lynx, underscoring her role as the Mercury’s offensive engine despite a rocky start to the season.
The Phoenix Mercury opened their 30th campaign with a 2-2 record, stumbling in a narrow 88-84 home loss to the Lynx after an earlier victory over the Las Vegas Aces. The game highlighted lingering chemistry issues that coach Nate Tibbetts said stem from an incomplete roster. With several key players still overseas or recovering from injuries, the team struggled to find rhythm, especially on the glass, being out-rebounded 43-31.
Missing pieces were evident. Veteran guard DeWanna Bonner, now 38, returned for her 17th season but the supporting cast was thin. Guard Valeriane Ayayi had only just cleared a FIBA clearance to join the squad, while forward Monique Akoa Makani remained in France. Additionally, guard Sami Whitcomb was sidelined after knee surgery, expected to miss up to two months. Tibbetts admitted the lack of a full training camp left the squad “still figuring out who we are,” a sentiment echoed by the players who have yet to develop on‑court chemistry.
Amid these challenges, Copper’s performance stood out. She shot 9-of-22 from the field and was aggressive on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds. Her scoring burst kept Phoenix within striking distance until the final minute, when a contested jump ball and a missed three‑pointer by Bonner sealed the loss. Copper’s ability to score in clutch moments, combined with her defensive pressure that forced a turnover on Courtney Williams, demonstrated why she is considered a cornerstone of the franchise.
Outside Phoenix, the league’s offseason was a sprint after the new collective bargaining agreement was finalized in late March. Players rushed to re‑sign, with Copper and fellow Mercury star Alyssa Thomas securing new deals alongside Bonner and Whitcomb. The accelerated timeline left little room for extended preparation, a factor that may have contributed to the early‑season disarray. Meanwhile, other teams such as the Chicago Sky entered their matchups with a 2-0 record, boasting top‑ten scoring averages, while the Lynx leveraged a balanced attack, with rookie Olivia Miles contributing 13 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in the win over Phoenix.
Looking ahead, the Mercury must address rebounding and defensive cohesion if they hope to fulfill their goal of returning to the WNBA Finals. Coach Tibbetts emphasized the need for a “better than tonight” effort, noting that the team’s defensive ranking has already slipped to second in points allowed. With the CBA settled and the roster gradually filling out, the focus will shift to integrating returning internationals and regaining the chemistry that propelled them to the Finals last year.
In conclusion, while Kahleah Copper’s 30‑point outburst offers a glimpse of the talent anchoring Phoenix, the Mercury’s early struggles underscore the importance of a full, healthy roster and cohesive play. As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see whether Copper can continue to lead the team back to contention.