Kahleah Copper leads Mercury to victory over Sky

CHICAGO (AP) — In a highly anticipated matchup, Kahleah Copper made a significant impact in her return to Chicago, scoring 29 points as the Phoenix Mercury defeated the short-handed Sky 85-65 on Thursday night. Copper, who was traded from the Sky in February, showcased her skills by shooting 12 of 19 from the field, including a strong first quarter where she netted 13 points. The Mercury quickly established a commanding lead, ending the first half at 50-28. Brittney Griner also had a standout performance, contributing 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five blocks, making history as the first player in franchise history to achieve such a stat line. Diana Taurasi added 11 points, with both she and Copper hitting three of the Mercury's 12 three-pointers. The Sky struggled offensively, shooting just 27% in the first half, which hindered their ability to keep pace with Phoenix. Chicago was missing key players, including leading scorer Chennedy Carter, who was sidelined due to a non-COVID illness, and Marina Mabrey, who was traded to the Connecticut Sun. Despite the challenges, Angel Reese recorded a notable performance with 11 points and 15 rebounds, setting a new Sky record for the most offensive rebounds in a single season. The loss leaves the Sky with a record of 10-15, while the Mercury improved to 14-12, showcasing their depth and resilience in the face of adversity.