The competition is becoming increasingly fierce, and the stakes are high for the Phoenix Mercury. After their loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, Kahleah Copper is stepping up as a leader.
In her postgame comments, she outlined the team’s philosophy moving forward.
I asked Kahleah Copper how she won’t let this game dwell on her and her teammates.
“What is dwelling on this game gonna do for us? That’s the mindset you have to have. Just a short-term memory.” pic.twitter.com/nIhyWmmk7l
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) August 16, 2025
“It’s more significant than just this game,” Copper noted. “We want to enter the playoffs with some momentum. But really, what good does dwelling on this game do? You need to maintain that mindset.
“It’s about having a short-term memory. I still want to analyze the film, revisit it, break it down, and learn from it. But there’s no point in moping because what does that accomplish?”
The synergy between the Big Three of Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Copper is improving, yet they struggled for the first three quarters of the match.
Defensive breakdowns and missed opportunities plagued them. Competing against the Aces necessitates precision, as they understand the value of each possession.
Due to these defensive lapses and the prowess of A’ja Wilson, who scored 30 points and secured 16 rebounds, the Aces secured the victory. While Wilson’s performance was remarkable, the Mercury’s poor rotations, switches, and communication were significant factors.
Who shares Kahleah Copper’s vision for the Mercury?
Copper’s head coach, Nate Tibbetts, shares this outlook. Indeed, it’s a philosophy that has permeated the entire team. Ahead of Friday’s game, he emphasized this and reiterated the importance of taking it day by day.
Followed up to an earlier question by @ayabdeen regarding playoff seeding.
Asked Nate Tibbetts how he plans to prevent his team from getting in their own heads after a bad performance.
“In sports, you deal with big wins and tough losses. You have to be ready the next day.” pic.twitter.com/FJ2x6KXlEg
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) August 16, 2025
“In sports, you experience significant victories and challenging defeats,” Tibbetts said. “You must be prepared the following day. It’s a new day, a new mentality. Only one team can be a champion, right? You’ve got to keep pushing forward. Some days you will excel, and other days, perhaps you won’t perform at your best.
“The journey will have its ups and downs as we finish the season, but I believe we have positioned ourselves well. Now it’s about executing when it truly counts.”
This crucial idea—executing under pressure—was echoed by Copper. Their performance cannot just be strong for 30, 35, or even 39 minutes; it has to last the full 40 minutes.
This theme has appeared repeatedly in their losses, and it applies here as well. Whether fielding a complete team or the desired eight-player rotation, consistency is vital, something Copper is actively pursuing.
The Mercury will have an opportunity to embark on a three-game road trip starting against the Seattle Storm. They will need that ‘short-term memory’ to secure a win against a squad also fighting for playoff positioning.
Image Source: Kahleah Copper @ Instagram
