Kahleah Copper to Compete in Unrivaled Despite Injury Woes

PHOENIX, Arizona — Kahleah Copper, a prominent player for the Phoenix Mercury, is set to compete in the second season of the 3×3 basketball tournament Unrivaled, even after undergoing knee surgery and struggling through an injury-plagued 2025 WNBA season.

Copper, 29, recently had arthroscopic surgery on her left knee and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. This follows a disappointing regular season where she averaged 15.6 points per game, a significant drop from her career-best 21.1 points last season.

In 2024, Copper played a vital role for Team USA at the Paris Olympics and earned all-WNBA honors for the first time in her career. However, her recent performances have raised questions about her decision to continue playing in Unrivaled instead of taking time to recuperate.

When asked about her choice to participate, Copper stated, “It gives you an opportunity to stay home… compete against the best, and then just be treated like a pro.” The league aims to provide a platform for players to stay closer to home while still earning competitive salaries, making it attractive for athletes like Copper.

The WNBA’s 2025 salary structure ranged from $66,079 for rookies to $250,000 for elite players. In contrast, Unrivaled has set an impressive salary pool of $8 million, averaging $222,222 for its players.

Despite the risk of injury, the format allows players to showcase their skills and compete against top-tier athletes. Copper’s teammates, Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, also highlight the Phoenix Mercury’s transition this season, as they play without WNBA legends Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.

Despite facing initial criticism about their depth, the Mercury has excelled this season, marking their best performance since 2014 and advancing to the semifinals with an impressive playoff run. The trio of Copper, Thomas, and Sabally have combined for remarkable scoring performances, including a standout game against the Minnesota Lynx.

As the Mercury eye a WNBA championship after their resurgence, Copper’s commitment to compete in Unrivaled raises intriguing questions about her health and future in the sport.