The Phoenix Mercury will be without Copper, their leading scorer from 2024, for at least eight games.
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts addressed injuries to forward Kahleah Copper (knee) and center Natasha Mack (back) before the team’s season opener against the Seattle Storm.
“I think it’s the beauty of sports and the [expletive] part about sports, right? People don’t care about injuries,” Tibbetts said. “The games just keep coming. I feel really bad for Kah, she had a great camp. I feel unfortunate for our team.”
Video: Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts on facing the Storm without star Kahleah Copper, who will be out for four to six weeks.
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Copper, 30, was the third-leading scorer in the WNBA (21.1 points per game) in her first season with Phoenix. She is expected to lead the team into a new era without Diana Taurasi (retired) and Brittney Griner (signed a 1-year deal with the Atlanta Dream).
Copper will miss at least eight games and could return as soon as June 27 against the New York Liberty, according to her return timetable of four to six weeks.
Copper played in the Mercury’s 85-84 preseason loss to the Las Vegas Aces on May 6. She did not play in last Saturday’s 84-79 loss to the Golden State Valkyries with a back issue.
Tibbetts said Copper suffered a knee injury in practice, leading to her arthroscopy.
Asked about Mack, Tibbetts was unsure when her back issue occurred. Mack played in both of the Mercury’s preseason games, starting at center. She will be out for two to three weeks, the team announced.
Mack became a fan favorite for the Mercury last season and spoke following their latest preseason game about her growth.
“This year, I’m trying to install professional habits on myself,” Mack said. “I came back ready to run, do whatever whenever and just what I need to do.”
Phoenix will still have two players of its ‘Big 3,’ Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, on the floor against the Storm. Sabally was traded in the offseason from the Dallas Wings, and Thomas was moved from the Connecticut Sun to the Mercury.
“There might be some bumps along the way, but [every] team goes through that,” Tibbetts said. “Even if Kah and Mack were playing tonight, we wouldn’t be at our best. I would’ve slept better last night, but this is what it is.”
NEWS: Kahleah Copper had a left knee arthroscopy and will be out for four to six weeks.
With Copper’s injury, the Mercury will take the floor on Saturday with zero players from 2024, plus three rookies.
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