Since joining the Phoenix Mercury, Kahleah Copper has been outstanding so far this season. We always knew she could score the basketball consistently; she averaged 18.7 points per game last season with the Chicago Sky. But this year, Copper has taken it up a level.
The Mercury hired former Orlando Magic assistant coach Nate Tibbetts this past offseason. He brought in a more up-to-date offense, and Copper has thrived with a little more freedom.
On Friday night, when Copper scored 34 points and hit the game-winning three for the Mercury. She became the third player in WNBA history with multiple games of at least 30 points, five three-pointers, and four stocks (steals plus blocks) in a single season. She joined Cynthia Cooper in 1997 and her current teammate, Diana Taurasi, in 2008.
Copper scored 10 points in the game’s final minutes Friday night. She closed the game out by hitting two three-point shots. The game-winning play was going to be drawn up for Diana Taurasi, but Taurasi told the coach to give the ball to Copper, and it worked.
According to Forbes.com, In ‘clutch’ situations so far, Copper has scored 23 points in 17 minutes – on 64% true shooting. Through her first 12 games, Copper is finishing 56.3% of her attempts at the rim and 54.5% of her floater range looks.
On Sunday, Copper was at it again, scoring 29 points in the Mercury 97-90 double overtime win over the Dallas Wings. Eight of Copper’s 29 points came in the second overtime.
So far this season, Copper is averaging 24 points per game on 44% shooting from the field and 39% shooting from beyond the arc. The Mercury do a great job spreading the floor for Copper and letting her use her athletic ability to finish at the rim. Cooper is quick and shifty and knows how to get to the basket and her improved outside shot has taken her game to another level.
Follow me on Twitter @raiderway83 and read other outstanding articles on Beyond Women’s Sports.
