CHICAGO — Kahleah Copper scored 29 points in her return to Chicago, Brittney Griner had 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five blocks and the Phoenix Mercury beat the short-handed Sky 85-65 on Thursday night.
Copper was 12 of 19 from the field in her first game against Chicago since being traded in February. Copper, the 2021 Finals MVP, averaged 12 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists during her seven seasons with the Sky, including a career-best 18.7 points last year.
Copper scored 13 points in the first quarter on 5 of 8 shooting to help Phoenix build a 30-12 lead. Copper finished the half with 18 points and Griner added 12 as the Mercury extended their lead to 50-28 at the break. Chicago was 11 of 41 shooting (27%) in the first half, while Phoenix made 7 of 14 3-point attempts.
The Mercury led by double figures for the entire second half.
Diana Taurasi added 11 points for Phoenix (14-12). Taurasi and Copper each made three of the Mercury’s 12 3-pointers.
Griner became the first player in franchise history to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game.
Chicago (10-15) was without leading scorer Chennedy Carter due to a non-COVID illness. It was also the Sky’s first game without guard Marina Mabrey, who was traded to the Connecticut Sun before the Olympic break.
Dana Evans scored 14 points off the bench to lead Chicago. Angel Reese had 11 points and 15 rebounds, and Kamilla Cardoso added 10 points. Rachel Banham, in her first start for Chicago, was 3 of 10 from the field to finish with seven points. Moriah Jefferson also played her first game for Chicago.
With her eight offensive rebounds on Thursday, Reese set a Sky record for the most offensive rebounds in a single season, passing Sylvia Fowles (117).
In a highly anticipated matchup, Kahleah Copper made a triumphant return to Chicago as she led the Phoenix Mercury to a thrilling victory over the Sky. Copper, who was traded to the Mercury in the offseason, put on a show for the fans at Wintrust Arena, scoring a game-high 29 points and showcasing her scoring prowess.
The game got off to a fast start, with both teams trading baskets in the first quarter. Copper wasted no time making her presence felt, knocking down shots from all over the court and attacking the rim with aggression. Her scoring outburst helped the Mercury build an early lead and set the tone for the rest of the game.
Despite facing a talented Sky team led by All-Star guard Courtney Vandersloot, Copper continued to dominate on both ends of the floor. She showcased her versatility by knocking down three-pointers, driving to the basket, and playing tough defense against some of Chicago’s top scorers.
Copper’s performance was a reminder of why she is considered one of the top players in the WNBA. Her ability to score in a variety of ways and impact the game on both ends of the floor makes her a valuable asset for the Mercury as they look to make a deep playoff run this season.
After the game, Copper expressed her gratitude for the warm reception she received from the Chicago fans. She credited her teammates for their support and praised their resilience in securing the victory on the road.
With Copper leading the way, the Mercury look poised to make some noise in the league this season. Her scoring prowess and leadership on the court will be key factors in their success as they continue to compete against some of the top teams in the WNBA.