PHOENIX — The Las Vegas Aces have done their work on Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper, limiting her in the first three quarters of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals and will look to do the same in Game 4.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!How did the Aces keep Copper’s offense limited?
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates a made shot as Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) looks on during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said he saw Las Vegas use a box-and-one strategy. Essentially, the play aims to neutralize a player, typically the team’s lead scorer, by using four defenders to form a zone in a box to protect the basket, while the fifth player guards the player one-on-one.
With Copper leading scoring for Phoenix in Games 1 and 2, the strategy paid off in Game 3 on Wednesday as she struggled to make any offensive contributions in the first half of the game.
Oct 3, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) looks to shoot against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) during the second quarter of game one of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Copper has averaged 16.6 points in the playoffs so far, and if the Aces continue to execute the box-and-one strategy, the Mercury may fall behind similarly to Game 3.
Both Tibbetts and Aces head coach Becky Hammon are looking to make adjustments in Game 4, as Phoenix’s Satou Sabally was ruled out due to a concussion. With another high scorer unable to play, the Mercury will need Copper’s shooting to keep the series alive.
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half during game one of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces play Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m.
Game 4 🔜 pic.twitter.com/pgXCfx2qAX
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) October 10, 2025
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Mercury must lean on depth and composure without Sabally in Game 4
