Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas powered the hosts to a 91-89 WNBA home victory, combining for 52 points in a two-point finish. Copper made 9 of 14 shots, while Thomas went 10-for-14 and added nine rebounds and eight assists to an efficient all-around performance.
What happened
The hosts entered the fourth quarter needing a push and delivered one, outscoring the visitors 31-23 in the final period. That eight-point advantage proved decisive in a game ultimately separated by only two.
Copper and Thomas drove the offense with accuracy throughout the contest. Their combined production accounted for more than half of the hosts’ scoring and helped overcome a sizable disadvantage from beyond the arc.
The visitors made 12 3-pointers, more than twice the hosts’ total of five, but the hosts countered by shooting 49% overall. Copper and Thomas led that efficiency, converting 19 of their combined 28 attempts.
Why it matters
The victory lifted the hosts to 11-18 and handed the 19-8 visitors their ninth loss. The result showed the hosts could close against an opponent with a substantially stronger record, even without matching its perimeter production.
Thomas again supplied impact across multiple categories. Her 26-point contribution to the duo’s total came with nine rebounds and eight assists, extending a strong all-around stretch eight days after her triple-double.
By the numbers
Copper and Thomas shot 19-for-28, a 67.9% rate, and scored 52 of the hosts’ 91 points. That represented 57.1% of the team’s offense in a game where every possession carried weight.
Copper’s 9-for-14 shooting and Thomas’ 10-for-14 mark gave the hosts two reliable scoring options. Their efficiency was especially important because the visitors held a 12-5 advantage in made 3-pointers.
The fourth-quarter split provided the clearest measure of the turnaround. By scoring 31 points and allowing 23 in the period, the hosts created precisely the margin needed to secure the 91-89 result.
What to watch next
The hosts return Aug. 1 with little recovery time after the demanding two-point finish. The immediate question is whether the Copper-Thomas pairing can sustain its efficient scoring while Thomas continues to influence the game as a rebounder and facilitator.