PHOENIX — Kahleah Copper wanted to celebrate her birthday with the people who have supported her and the Phoenix Mercury all season.
So, one day before turning 32, Copper asked the Mercury staff and X-Factor to dress in Western gear for Thursday night’s game against the Washington Mystics — and they obliged.
Aug 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) drives to the basket against Washington Mystics forward Michaela Onyenwere (12) and guard Alicia Florez in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Cowboy hats, boots and other Western-themed attire filled the arena, with players walking through the tunnel in outfits fit for the occasion as they celebrated one of the club’s most impactful members.
Then Copper gave them something to celebrate in return.
The guard wasted little time making her impact felt, scoring the Mercury’s first 12 points of the game on her own only minutes into the first quarter. She finished with 35 points, tying her for the most 35-point games in the WNBA this season. The guard also reached 2,000 points in a Phoenix uniform, doing so in 103 games to surpass Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter, who reached the mark in 104 games.
But beyond what she gave the Mercury on the court, Copper felt the love from her teammates and fans throughout the night.
Aug 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury fans in the crowd cheer after a basket by guard Kahleah Copper (2) against the Washington Mystics in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“Shout out to X-Factor. I love y’all so much,” Copper said. “I let y’all know last minute, and I should have gave y’all more of a heads-up, but y’all still showed up and showed off.”
The celebration was about more than another big scoring night for Copper. It was about the connection she has built with the Phoenix community and making sure the fans were part of a moment that was personal to her.
Kahleah Copper shoutouts the X-Factor for dressing up in cowboy attire to celebrate her birthday during Thursday’s game.
🎥: @wlopezde#WNBA pic.twitter.com/Xg2ADF9Ssv
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) August 28, 2026
“Like, it really made me feel super good,” Copper said. “Because I was super happy to just celebrate my birthday early, making everybody on the staff dress up, like, everybody. So I was glad that X-Factor got to be a part of that because they were a big part of our organization and us having success and us being able to just celebrate my birthday together.”
That connection has remained important for Copper as the Mercury’s season hasn’t been what many expected, especially now that they are out of the playoff picture.
But there is still plenty for Copper to play for.
Aug 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) against the Washington Mystics in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The circumstances around the games may have changed, but Copper’s approach hasn’t. She continues to play with the same force and urgency, giving Phoenix everything she has while the fans continue to give her and the Mercury reasons to compete.
Thursday provided a reminder that, even without a postseason race to chase, there are still moments — and players — worth celebrating.
Wildest out West. pic.twitter.com/OVsOhwsg58
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 28, 2026
“This was just a super dope moment just for us connecting with our fans also,” she said. “So this was cool, and I don’t think it’s ever been done before.”
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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