The Phoenix Mercury host the third-seeded Connecticut Sun tonight, hoping to avoid a season sweep. With a 17-19 record, the Mercury have fallen to the Sun in all three of their previous matchups this season, and they’ll be looking to change that narrative. However, the home team could face a challenge, as they’ll be without one of their key players in tonight’s game.

The Phoenix Mercury will be without their star guard, Kahleah Copper, for the first time this season. The 30-year-old is reportedly dealing with a back injury and will be given time to rest ahead of the playoffs.

Concerns arose when Copper wasn’t seen at the team’s shootaround earlier today, a development first reported by Desert Wave Media. They shared snippets from the Mercury drill and tweeted, “Phoenix Mercury forward Kahleah Copper – QUESTIONABLE (Back) – is not with the rest of the Mercury at shootaround.”

On being asked if Copper’s role on the team and then the Olympics could have potentially contributed to the injury, head coach Nate Tibbetts speculated it to be the case to a certain extent. “she’s had to do a lot for us offensively. Maybe it is. They didn’t get much time off, hardly any [because of the Olympics] so mentally and physically, I am sure there is some fatigue there.” 

The Rutgers graduate made her debut with the Phoenix Mercury this season after being traded from the Chicago Sky, and she’s wasted no time proving her value in Arizona. Leading the franchise in scoring, Copper has averaged a career-high 21.6 points per game, playing in all 36 games so far this season. She also made her Olympic debut this year, averaging 8.2 points for 3.4 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game.

Her absence tonight is a significant blow for a team already on a two-game losing streak, especially as they face a Connecticut Sun squad riding high after back-to-back wins. They will undoubtedly aim to take advantage of this opportunity, as they’re eager to close the gap with the second-seeded Minnesota Lynx.

But additionally for the Mercury, this game could mark the second-to-last home appearance in the regular season for one of the franchise’s long-standing veterans which might lead to a fully packed arena.

Diana Taurasi’s possible final appearances at home

Tonight marks the second-to-last home game for the Phoenix Mercury, with their final matchup set against the Seattle Storm on the last day of the regular season. What makes these games even more special is the emotional weight they carry, as they could be some of the last chances for fans to witness franchise legend Diana Taurasi in action.

The Phoenix Mercury recently took to X to highlight Diana Taurasi, sharing a tweet that read, “𝐈𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭: You have two more opportunities to see the Greatest of All-Time at home.” The post featured a touching video that traced Taurasi’s remarkable 20-year career, from her draft day to her present season, capturing the pivotal moments of her storied journey with the Mercury. The video’s message was clear: “If this is it. Be there.”

Diana Taurasi has suited up for 32 of the Mercury’s 36 games this season. Though no official word on her retirement has been given, recent social media posts have sparked speculation about the end of her storied career. As a loyal Mercury player for two decades, Taurasi has averaged 15.1 points per game this season.

With tonight’s crucial game on the line and the possibility of her retirement hanging over the team, fans are eager to catch what might be some of her final moments on the court. They’ll be hoping her presence can offset the impact of Kahleah Copper’s absence.