Kahleah Copper

There are at least a dozen ways that Kahleah Copper could’ve gone, had she wanted to gauge her respect levels as one of the WNBA’s elite bucket-getters. On June 7, 2024, an endorsement came in a most unique fashion: when her teammate — the league’s all-time No. 1 scorer — advocated for her to attempt the game-deciding shot. Remarkable enough throughout the fourth quarter to keep her Phoenix Mercury close, but never ahead, the four-time All-Star prepares to finally deliver the go-ahead score with 2.1 seconds left, speeding towards the baseline for a handoff. Locating just enough space to launch freely beyond the Minnesota Lynx’s contests, Copper elevates into an off-balanced, game-winning triple, sending the crowd into euphoria. Phoenix found its resilience tested throughout, overcoming both a nine-point deficit in the final five minutes, and a four-point setback with 24 seconds remaining. A constant throughout the comeback charge, Copper erupted for 34 points (including 14 in the fourth) on an efficient 13-of-23 shooting, six rebounds, two assists, two steals, two blocks, and five 3-pointers, her fourth 30-point game of the just-beginning season.