Mercury’s Copper exits with injury in season-worst loss to Aces

© Candice Ward-Imagn ImagesLAS VEGAS — The Phoenix Mercury suffered their worst defeat of the season on Thursday evening, falling to the Las Vegas Aces and losing guard Kahleah Copper in the third quarter.

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Aug 21, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) drives against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) in the first quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Aces dominated the entire game, taking the lead at 8:09 in the first quarter and didn’t look back. For the Mercury, it just wasn’t their game. They scored a season-low 61 points, shooting 31.0% from the field and 18.8% from three.

Phoenix allowed 21 points on turnovers against Las Vegas.

“The last two or three games, I’ve felt pretty good about our offense to be quite honest,” said Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts, according to the team’s post-game recording. “And I felt like we had shown some growth in that area. Tonight, we completely took a step or two back.”

The team also suffered a late-game loss, with Copper injured in the third quarter after colliding with Aces’ A’ja Wilson. The Mercury confirmed it was a rib injury and didn’t return to the game.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing, but it’s part of the game, right?” Tibbetts said, confirming Copper was still being evaluated. “You know, probably more frustrating for [Copper]. She’s had a tough year with injuries, so hopefully it’s not a big deal.”

Aug 21, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) checks on guard Kahleah Copper (2) after she goes down in the third quarter of their game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Mercury will now need to regroup for Friday’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. Phoenix may need to play without its star guard in a back-to-back game due to scheduling, something forward Satou Sabally has described as “terrible.”

“It’s like they don’t care about player safety,” Sabally said, according to the team’s post-game recording. “… There’s a sports science to it. It’s honestly just, like, game on game on game on game. So we play tomorrow. We’re professional and we’ll do it.”

Phoenix will look to regroup quickly after its toughest loss of the season, with a short turnaround and uncertainty surrounding Copper’s status.

Aug 21, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the third quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury will return home and face the Golden State on Friday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m.