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Aces’ Game 3 defense against Copper and what it could mean in Game 4

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Wendy Lopez | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 7:47 PM ET

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.

How did the Aces keep Copper’s offense limited?

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.

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.

The Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces play Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m.