PHOENIX — Kahleah Copper and Paige Bueckers spent a lot of Monday evening buying and selling punches in a recreation that felt like it will come right down to whichever star may make the final bucket.
Sep 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) drives on Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) within the second half at Mortgage Matchup Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Photos
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Copper acquired the final phrase, nailing a backdoor layup within the remaining seconds of the fourth quarter to provide the Phoenix Mercury an 87-86 lead over the Dallas Wings. Whereas Bueckers acquired the ultimate shot try after a timeout, the Mercury pulled away with the win as they rallied from a number of double-digit deficits.
Only a few weeks earlier than Monday’s matchup, the guards had donned the identical colours and represented the identical nation as members of Staff USA on the FIBA World Cup. Copper and Bueckers helped lead their nation to a fifth consecutive gold medal, mixing veteran gamers with the newer, youthful faces who will assist mould the subsequent era of ladies’s basketball within the U.S.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) seems to be to move the ball in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Heart in Phoenix on Sept. 21, 2026. Credit score: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos
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Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts, who was a part of the teaching employees for the People, had nothing however admiration for Bueckers after teaching her through the World Cup.
“Paige is particular,” Tibbetts mentioned. “I am simply sort of blown away by her strategy, her confidence, her work.”
Tibbetts mentioned Bueckers’ ardour for basketball stood out to him throughout their time with USA Basketball, recalling how she needed to stay within the recreation through the gold-medal contest regardless of an harm.
“I simply love how she carries herself,” Tibbetts mentioned. “The sport of basketball actually issues to her. She’s a shot maker. She is aware of the right way to play. You’ll be able to inform that she’s been very nicely coached at UConn.”
Sep 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts after a play in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury within the first half at Mortgage Matchup Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Photos
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He particularly highlighted Bueckers’ potential to function in numerous actions relatively than relying solely on conventional pick-and-rolls, in addition to her improved 3-point capturing, positional dimension and defensive competitiveness.
“She’s going to be an excellent participant for a very long time in our league,” Tibbetts mentioned.
Bueckers confirmed precisely why Tibbetts has a lot respect for her recreation in opposition to Phoenix.
The guard led the Wings with 30 factors, seven assists and 5 rebounds, repeatedly answering Phoenix’s late runs with clutch 3-pointers to provide Dallas the lead every time the Mercury pulled even.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) seems to be to get previous Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) at Mortgage Matchup Heart in Phoenix on Sept. 21, 2026. Credit: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photos
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Nonetheless, it was finally her Staff USA teammate who sealed the sport in what was a thriller. Copper completed her evening with 31 factors, scoring 16 of them within the fourth quarter earlier than delivering the decisive blow.
“I hate Kah proper now, however I really like her for actual,” Bueckers jokingly mentioned postgame.
Then she laughed and known as Copper “my canine,” pointing to among the issues the 2 share away from basketball, together with a love of scorching canine.
However Bueckers’ respect for Copper as a participant was extra severe.
Sep 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) scores over Dallas Wings ahead Awak Kuier (34) within the second half at Mortgage Matchup Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Photos
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“She’s very distinctive as a participant, as a guard, a giant guard,” Bueckers mentioned. “Will get downhill, can shoot 3s, is admittedly aggressive, is hard to protect, after which performs each ends of the ground extraordinarily nicely and rebounds her butt off too.”
It was the sort of respect that has been constructed past the traces of a basketball court docket. The 2 guards have shared a USA jersey, competed alongside each other and located themselves on reverse sides of a WNBA matchup. On Monday, they traded massive photographs, fought for a similar recreation after which embraced the friendship that exists beneath all of it.
And maybe that was the lasting connection from their time with Staff USA: The competitors adjustments, the jerseys change and the stakes change, however the respect between gamers stays.
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“I solely have nice issues to say about Kah,” Bueckers mentioned. “After which clearly as a buddy, only a motivator and a shared love for every part. So we get alongside very well.”
