Copper scores 28 and Mack posts double-double to lead Mercury past Sky

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.

“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.”

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 Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty face off on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m.