Copper scores 23 of her 30 points in the 1st half as the Mercury race past the Storm, 90-67

Kahleah Copper led the Phoenix Mercury to a decisive 90-67 victory over the Seattle Storm, scoring 23 of her 30 points in the first half. Valeriane Ayayi contributed 18 points, helping Phoenix secure their third consecutive win. Copper’s impressive performance included shooting 9 of 12 from the field in the first half, establishing a strong 55-36 lead. Lexi Held added 17 points with a career-high five 3-pointers, while Alyssa Thomas nearly achieved a triple-double with nine points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists. Despite Ezi Magbegor’s season debut for Seattle, the Storm struggled, falling to 1-9 on the road. The Mercury’s victory improved their record to 8-13, while Seattle dropped to 5-16. QUESTION: How might the return of key players from injury impact a team’s performance and morale during a challenging season?