Kahleah Copper Injury Update: Mercury star undergoes knee surgery before season opener

The Phoenix Mercury announced on Saturday afternoon that Kahleah Copper underwent a left knee arthroscopy, forcing her to sit out for four to six weeks. Copper, who played in the preseason game against the Las Vegas Aces on May 6, was ruled day-to-day until the surgery was announced. The sweet-shooting guard will start her inaction against the Seattle Storm, her team’s season-opening game.

A few hours after the announcement came out, Copper gave her fans an update with an Instagram post on Saturday:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Kahleah Copper missed only 37 games last year. She played in the Unrivaled, but her season was cut short due to a right leg injury. Copper suffered a left leg injury while preparing for her 2025 campaign with the revamped Phoenix Mercury.

Copper’s injury is a big blow to the Mercury, who saw the legendary Diana Taurasi retire in the offseason. Brittney Griner also left the team after 11 years to take her talent to Atlanta. Copper, last season’s third-leading scorer, was expected to have a key part of the revamped team. Phoenix will lean heavily on new acquisitions, Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, while Copper recovers from surgery.

---

Natasha Mack joins Kahleah Copper on the sidelines

The Phoenix Mercury's injury woes piled on before their season opener against the Seattle Storm on Saturday. Natasha Mack, who did not miss a game last season for the Mercury, joins Kahleah Copper on the sidelines. The center/forward will be unavailable in the next three weeks due to a lower back injury.

Mack returned to the WNBA in 2024 after a two-year hiatus. She averaged 3.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 assists per game. Following Griner’s departure, she was expected to add depth to the frontline.

Injuries to Kahleah Copper and Mack could force the Mercury to struggle in the opening two months of the season.

Edited by Michael Macasero