Phoenix Mercury wing Kahleah Copper upgraded to available against Las Vegas Aces
Kahleah Copper (back) is available for Tuesday's preseason opener against the Las Vegas Aces.
LAS VEGAS — Phoenix Mercury wing Kahleah Copper (back) is available for Tuesday’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Aces.
The Mercury originally listed Copper as questionable on Monday’s injury report, but it appeared to be more of a precautionary measure rather than a serious injury.
“It’s good,” Copper told Desert Wave Media at Tuesday’s shootaround when asked how her back is feeling.
At shootaround, the Mercury star said she would go through pregame warmups and see how she was feeling before the decision was made.
Copper, 30, missed three games in a row in September of last season with a back injury. She returned to play in the Mercury’s regular season finale against the Seattle Storm and played in both of Phoenix’s playoff games.
On Tuesday, Copper said Monday’s injury designation was not at all related to last season’s back injury.
“Ah, nah, I’m just being precautious,” Copper said Tuesday. “The season is what’s most important, so just playing it safe.”
Copper also suffered a right, lower leg injury during the Unrivaled season and last played Feb. 7, missing the rest of the Unrivaled season, including the title game which her Rose BC team won.
She said last week her leg was feeling great and she was not carrying an injury.
“Nah, I’m great. I feel great,” Copper said last week when asked if there is any lingering pain in her leg.
The four-time All-Star played in 37 games for the Mercury last season, averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game. She also recorded nine games with at least 30 points, the second-most in the league behind MVP A’ja Wilson.
Copper led the league in usage rate at 31.1% and averaged 32.4 minutes per game last season.
Monique Akoa Makani upgraded
Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (knee) was also upgraded to available for Tuesday’s preseason game.
“(My knee) is feeling good, pretty good,” Akoa Makani told Desert Wave Media at Tuesday’s shootaround.
Akoa Makani, 24, is on a training camp deal and is looking to make the Mercury’s opening night roster. She has never played in a WNBA game previously.
“I’m pretty excited,” Akoa Makani said. “I’m just ready to step on the court if possible and then just play how I know best.”
In France playing for Charnay Bourgogne Sud, she averaged 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.1 steals, while shooting 44.8% from two, 41.8% from three and 87.8% at the line.
The injury bug hit the Mercury hard last season. Their usual starters missed a combined 40 games during the regular season due to injury — Natasha Cloud (one game for injury and one for suspension), Diana Taurasi (four), Bec Allen (22), Brittney Griner (10) and Copper (three).
Thank you for the update!