After the short-handed Phoenix Mercury suffered their first loss of the season to the Seattle Storm, their injury concerns became evident. While Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas have kept things afloat in the absence of key players, the game against Seattle exposed the glaring voids left by those injuries, none more prominent than the absence of Kahleah Copper. So, as the Washington Mystics are coming to town with their rookie duo in fine form, Mercury fans are hoping the injury report brings about good news regarding their players. Especially the fan-favorite Copper.

Is Kahleah Copper playing vs the Washington Mystics?

Kahleah Copper underwent a successful left knee arthroscopy, a surgical procedure to address an issue within her knee joint, on the 18th of May. The news was announced just as the season was set to begin, unfortunately sidelining her for the start of the year and providing a major blow to the Mercury. Last year, Copper was the WNBA’s third-leading scorer, averaging 21.1 points per game in her first season with the Mercury. Copper has proven her ability to create her own shot and provides a high-volume scoring option in the absence of which the Mercury has been dependent on their newcomer duo. Everyone is a newcomer anyway since Copper is the only returning player from 2024, which made the HC even joke that the team will probably have to wear name tags.

While Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally add significant talent, Copper’s ability to carry the scoring load is a unique one missed by Coach Nate Tibbetts. Besides her, Sami Whitcomb is the only player in the roster to have averaged double-figure points, and that too was back in 2021. So, naturally, the Coach was disappointed. “I think it’s the beauty of sports and the [expletive] part about sports, right? People don’t care about injuries. The games just keep coming. I feel really bad for Kah, she had a great camp. I feel unfortunate for our team,” he said.

Copper is expected to be back in four to six weeks, meaning fans can anticipate her return to the court for the Mercury in the latter stages of June. For the game against the Mystics, though, they’ll be dependent on their available players.

Phoenix Mercury: Injury Report & Starting 5

G: Lexi Held

G: Sami Whitcomb

F: Satou Sabally

F: Alyssa Thomas

C: Kathryn Westbeld

The newest addition to the injury report for Coach Tibbetts is Monique Akoa Makani. The undrafted player who is playing in her first season impressed in the last game against the Storm. Makani scored 14 points as she went 5/9 on field goals and 3/4 from beyond the arc in only the 3rd game of her WNBA career. She has been listed as questionable by the team due to issues with her left knee. While the measure seems purely precautionary, Makani’s absence would mean guard Lexi Held’s promotion to the starting lineup.

Still on the list is forward Natasha Mack, who has been sidelined with a lower back injury. The Phoenix Mercury announced on May 18, 2025, that she will be out for 2-3 weeks. Her absence has led to an increased role for Kathryn Westbeld. With Westbeld in the lineup, Mercury have a center who can stretch the floor, which was evident in their game against the Storm as Kathryn knocked down a 3. So while Mack stays out of the lineup, Coach Nate Tibbetts can utilize the duration of these injuries to figure out how to diversify his rotations.

As for their opponents, the Washington Mystics, their injury report has one more player than the Mercury’s three. Aaliyah Edwards is probable with a low back contusion, while Brittney Sykes is questionable because of a right lower leg issue. As for players who are definitely out, they will continue to miss Georgia Amoore because of an ACL injury and Shakira Austin because of a concussion protocol.

If we take a look at the teams’ head-to-head history, then out of all 48 games, the Mystics have managed to win only 18, with the Mercury leading them in both Win (Away) and Win (Home) categories. However, this year till now, both have had similar fates (including the preseason). Hence, it will be interesting to see how the match unfolds. You can catch the game on the 25th of May at 6 p.m. ET at the PHX Arena or watch it from the comfort of your home on MNMT, AZFamily, and Fubo.