Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

WNBA to Punish Phoenix Mercury Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Jul 18, 2026 8:28 PM ET

The Phoenix Mercury not only lost to the Connecticut Sun on Friday, but they also received some bad news involving star guard Kahleah Copper.

Phoenix never led in the game and even trailed by as many as 20 points before Connecticut secured a 96-83 win. The Mercury had no answer for the Sun's balanced offense, led by Leila Lacan's 26 points.

Four other Sun players scored in double figures, including Brittney Griner who had 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and one block.

Copper finished with 21 points for the Mercury, while Alyssa Thomas tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Valeriane Ayayi added 13 points off the bench. Unfortunately, the three were the only Phoenix players to score in double figures.

Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Copper, however, also received a technical foul during the game. Midway through the third quarter, Copper had a rather tense exchange with Sun forward Diamond Miller, prompting a referee to step in and separate them.

The game official then assessed double technical fouls to Copper and Miller.

Things are getting a little chippy here in the third quarter.

Kahleah Copper and Diamond Miller were assessed double technicals. pic.twitter.com/7zmS523NVI
— PHNX Mercury (@PHNX_Mercury) July 18, 2026

It is now Copper's sixth technical foul of the season, which is the second-most in the league behind Angel Reese's seven. That means the Mercury scorer is due to pay a $1,000 fine.

The WNBA rules state that a player's first three technical fouls each carry a $500 fine, while the fourth through seventh techs are each punishable with a $1,000 fine.

It also puts Copper close to the technical foul limit. Once a player reaches eight technical fouls, they are fined $1,500 and suspended for one game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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