Back in 2022, Flau’jae Johnson revealed that when she entered the WNBA, she wanted to go up against Kahleah Copper. She wanted to test out a theory: “They say our games are alike.” Cut to today, her dreams came a full circle this month. But when the Seattle Storm faced off against the Phoenix Mercury for the second time, those dreams went sideways as she experienced the wrath of Copper firsthand. 

Tensions were flaring in the late third quarter with Phoenix leading 50-70. After intercepting the ball twice, Flau’jaae Johnson drove downhill to go for a transition layup. But just as she jumped towards the rim, Copper came from behind and blocked Johnson. Just as she did, she clapped her hands fiercely, saying towards the rookie, “Come on!”

Copper proceeded to talk some trash and show some aggression towards the rookie, even after turning her back, and got a technical whistle. Natisha Heidman of Seattle made a technical free throw. What many forget, though, is the aggressive playing style Johnson was showing against the veteran.

Just two possessions ago, as a Mercury player was sending the ball inbound to Copper, Johnson tipped it out again, wasting the clock for the hosts. In this very play as well, Johnson had tipped the ball and stolen it from Copper. The latter’s aggression wasn’t just because she wanted to show the rookie how to play in The Valley, but literally because of the two plays ahead of this block. But Johnson still walked away with the last laugh, even though they lost the road game 73-93.

It was Copper’s fourth technical foul of the season, which means she will pay $1000 as a fine under the league’s updated rules. She is now one shy of receiving a warning letter from the league.

Copper ended the win with 17 points and 7 rebounds, along with one block on Johnson. The latter, meanwhile, went 6-of-17 for 13 points with two blocks. While the numbers on paper don’t prove it, the game was rather heated with Phoenix leading their series 2-0. But fans simply could not get over the learning moment for both Johnson and Copper.

Fans divide over Kahleah Copper’s brutal block on Flau’jae Johnson

The similarities between Copper and Johnson are uncanny. The two play with a furious passion, get to the rim, and show their dominance throughout the floor. Even the announcers could not ignore that comparison. So when a fan saw Copper’s behavior towards Johnson, they could only ask, “Why you do your baby sis like that??”

Another added, “kah that’s yo daughter now 😭”

This has been a long-running joke among the fans that Johnson and Kahleah Copper not only play alike but also look very similar. They attended the 2024 All-Star game together, where it was first noticed. But all that did not matter as the veteran sent a warning shot to the youngster commanding charge in the battle.

“Up by 20 a vet chirping at a rookie on a routine block is so WNBA,” commented a fan.

The Phoenix Mercury were cruising with a 20-point lead in their 93-73 win. But even though this was the second matchup of the season between the two guards, a ‘Welcome to the W’ moment can happen any time for a rookie, in Copper’s defense. Of course, she learned it from the best — Diana Taurasi.

“Don’t think *anyone* should be mad about the tech from Kahleah Copper here, after the block on Flau’jae Johnson,” a fan mentioned. “This’ the exact type of level of energy & desire that she + Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, & Nate Tibbetts have been asking for.

While the Mercury were ahead in this game, the team has been struggling. They were coming off a four-game losing streak and a 4-11 record coming into this game. The team has been surprisingly disappointing after reaching the finals last year. Their quality with Copper and Alyssa Thomas on the roster is too high to be reeling early in the season. The fire from Copper could have further given the team motivation to close out the game and eventually continue winning. On the other hand, it’s not like Johnson is a reserved player. 

“Good. Flau also talks smack too,” wrote another fan. As I mentioned, Copper was blocked by Johnson twice before this play in this game, which could have contributed to her aggression against the Seattle Storm player. Johnson is known for her trash talk as she brings her rapper mojo onto the court as well. Ultimately, both leave it all on the court, and it doesn’t seem that it has followed the two off it.