Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud are seasoned veterans in the WNBA. Both former champions, Copper and Cloud have seen it all in their extensive careers in the association, and they’ve seen the best of the best. They’ve played against some of the best players to grace the hardwood – they’ve battled against some of the best teams in the association’s history.
The two veteran guards are battle-tested and have seen it all, including how hard it is to visit the Valley and perform. The “X-Factor” – a term coined by the Mercury’s first head coach and Ring of Honor member Cheryl Miller – is a nickname that represents Phoenix’s passionate and rowdy crowd. Momentum swings are driven by various different factors, one being the energy of the home crowd. Phoenix’s fanbase ranks among the best environments in the association, and the Footprint Center will always remain an arena that’s hard to play at. Copper and Cloud noted that they were empowered by the crowd in Phoenix’s home opener against Atlanta, and that they are happy to be on the right side of the X-Factor.
"We always felt the croud, felt them all night. I love to have the X-Factor on my side."
Making her regular season home debut in Phoenix, Kahleah Copper (@kahleahcopper) responded to our @AlecCipollini about the energetic Mercury fans vs. the Dream. #ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/1Q8xCqH2Bq
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) May 19, 2024
“Like I said, I’m so happy to be on this side of it [the X-Factor],” said Kahleah Copper regarding the infectious energy of Phoenix’s crowd. “They were great. Through the runs…we always felt the crowd. We felt them all night. I love to have the X-Factor on my side, and I’m just super happy to be here.”
“It was always tough to come and play in this gym,” said Natasha Cloud. “But to be part of that now, that ‘sixth man’ is huge and important throughout the season.”
With 10,251 fans in attendance, Footprint Center was jumping from start to finish. In the sport of basketball that’s a game of runs, Saturday’s game was a back-and-forth affair. However, Phoenix found a spark of momentum that was ignited by the passion of the crowd, something that played a crucial role in the outcome of the contest.
“When other teams go on runs – you got to find some momentum somewhere – [and] it always comes from the crowd,” said Cloud. “To feel that tonight, to feel the electricity and the excitement behind this team. We’re all really excited, so we’re glad the X-Factor is now too.”
In just their first games holding down the home turf in Phoenix, Copper and Cloud are excited to continue their journeys in the Valley, in hopes of building upon the culture that is known as the “X-Factor”.
Kahleah Copper Explodes for Career-High 38 in Mercury Win over Dream
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
