PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper and forward Natasha Mack powered the team to a victory against the Chicago Sky on Thursday night, as the team inched itself closer to a playoff berth.
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Aug 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) controls the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) and forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half at Phx Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Sky had an early lead against the Mercury after the first quarter. Phoenix answered back by keeping Chicago to eight points in the second. However, the Sky bounced back and were within one during the last half.
Key defensive plays towards the final seconds of the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Mercury, 83-79.
Copper led scoring for the Mercury with 28 points, while forward Natasha Mack secured her first career double-double. She had 10 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
Aug 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) in the second half at Phx Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“We went with a little bit of a different lineup down the stretch with some size,” said head coach Nate Tibbetts, according to the team’s post-game notes. “I thought [Natasha] Mack really had a great game. I think it was her first career double-double. She was protecting the rim at a high level… I think just figuring out ways to win when you’re not at your best is important.”
Mack’s first double-double comes during a crucial playoff run and credits teammate Alyssa Thomas for her consistency with achieving triple-doubles.
“I was like, it could happen,” Mack said about her mindset during the game. “Well, if it doesn’t, it isn’t meant to be. I was like, it is what it is. I don’t know how [Thomas] gets triple-doubles every night, that’s hard.”
Aug 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) and Kahleah Copper (2) in the first half at Phx Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix has now cut its magic number to one, with a win against the New York Liberty securing a spot in the playoffs. For Copper, it doesn’t matter who they face. There are no nights off against any team.
“It’s not always going to be pretty, you’re not going to win games and it’s not going to be perfect,” Copper said. “Sometimes you got to figure it out. That’s what the playoffs are going to be like, figuring it out.”
THE BIRTHDAY BUCKETS ARE RACKING UPPPPP ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/4PuQGOq0VU
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 29, 2025
The Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty face off on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
