What happened: Alyssa Thomas found Copper for the deciding basket to close the win. It is another 31-point outing for the same Copper who reached 31 in late August.
Why it matters: Closing shots carry added weight in the 2026 postseason with rotations tightening. A defined late-game option gives her team a repeatable end-of-game sequence.
By the numbers: 31 points, game-winning basket.
What to watch: Phoenix moves on to its next postseason date with closing lineups and late-game execution in focus.