SAN FRANCISCO– Following the Phoenix Mercury 's Tuesday morning shootaround before playing the Golden State Valkyries, Kahleah Copper and Nate Tibbetts stood at center court.

The two were chatting. It's unclear what was said, but both parties were engaged, intentional, and listening to what the other was saying.

That's been the story of the 2025 season: Copper taking on a leadership role for the Mercury . However, once she was sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery at the beginning of the year, she underwent a new challenge.

Instead of being a leader on the court, she stepped up off the court, such as encouraging others on the sidelines, designing plays, and breaking down the system.

The Phoenix guard sat down with ClutchPoints to detail her perspective change sin

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