A Tuesday to Remember: Kahleah Copper’s Wig Malfunction Dominates Headlines — and Alyssa Thomas Carries Phoenix Past Washington

A Shock at CareFirst Arena

In what was otherwise a routine Sunday evening, the Phoenix Mercury cemented their second-half dominance over the Washington Mystics, winning 88‑72 at CareFirst Arena. But the game’s most talked-about moment had nothing to do with the scoreboard—it was a bizarre malfunction involving guard Kahleah Copper that left her running to the locker room with her entire wig dislodged.

As Washington led 46‑42 at halftime, the contest was still tight. Then in the third quarter, a shift in momentum flipped the game on its axis. It was during that period of physical play that Copper, coming off a screen, was seemingly clipped by Jade Melbourne. The collision resulted in Copper’s wig being unintentionally removed mid-action, prompting her to sprint off the court visibly frustrated and holding her head. Replays later confirmed that Melbourne’s screen had caught the wig, inadvertently dragging it off Copper’s head—a moment so surreal it quickly became the viral highlight of the night. The broadcast aired her secondary reaction: a purposeful run off-court with no wig, signaling her departure from the floor before returning at some later unconfirmed point Swish Appeal+12Bullets Forever+12ESPN.com+12.

Momentum and Mastery: Thomas Takes Over in the Second Half

The wig incident, however strange, unfolded in the early stages of Alyssa Thomas blowing the game open. The six-time All‑Star delivered a historic stat line—27 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists—anchored by gritty interior dominance and elite decision-making. She orchestrated a stunning 26‑12 third quarter, during which Phoenix outscored Washington to set the tone for the rest of the game. Her performance elevated Thomas into the WNBA record books, tying Lisa Leslie for fifth all‑time in 20‑point, 10‑rebound, 5‑assist games, and matching Candace Parker’s tally for career steals The Washington Post.

Satou Sabally added 15 points, while Kitija Laksa and Monique Akoa Makani chipped in 13 each, and Natasha Mack contributed 10. The Mercury shot over 63 percent inside the arc, racking up half a hundred points in the paint and neutralizing Washington’s decent perimeter threat ESPN.com+4ESPN.com+4The Washington Post+4.

Stats & Contributors: Copper Still Part of the Story

The anomaly involving Copper overshadowed her on-court impact, which was relatively modest from a stats perspective. She logged 26 minutes, scoring six points, grabbing three rebounds, and dishing three assists. It appears that after the wardrobe mishap, she did return to finish the game, but there has been no official confirmation whether her wig was replaced immediately or during halftime Reddit+2Reddit+2Wikipedia+2.

Despite the distraction, Copper helped sustain the offensive continuity Phoenix leaned on, even if quietly. Her presence in the rotation alongside marquee names Thomas and Sabally helped maintain spacing, ball movement, and defensive versatility.

Mystics’ Struggles: Strong Start, Physical Second Half

Washington began with energy—Shakira Austin led the scoring for the Mystics with 20 points and eight rebounds, and Sonia Citron added 13 points. Jade Melbourne contributed spark off the bench with 13, including a clutch buzzer-beater to close out the first quarter, giving the Mystics a narrow 23-21 edge Wikipedia+1The Washington Post+1ESPN.com+3mystics.wnba.com+3The Washington Post+3.

However, the Mystics could not sustain their first-half efficiency. They shot just 2-for-9 from deep, while Phoenix stifled perimeter threats and exploded inside. In the second half, Washington collapsed, allowing Phoenix to shoot 73.3 percent in the third quarter alone. The physicality of the Mercury’s defense frustrated the Mystics—turnovers rose, free throws dropped, and the momentum slipped irrecoverably mystics.wnba.com+1The Washington Post+1.

Perspective: Wig Mishap vs. Team Execution

The collision was unfortunate, and its viral nature risked overshadowing the broader storyline: Phoenix’s second-half dominance and Washington’s unraveling. Copper’s incident was a freak accident, but in the context of a professional sport where appearances and poise matter, it amplified viewer attention more than usual. It reminded fans that basketball—even at the elite level—can yield unexpected, bizarre human moments.

Behind that moment, however:

Alyssa Thomas turned a tight contest into a blowout with her multi-faceted leadership and production.

The Mercury’s bench made key contributions, while Washington’s rotation failed to adapt to the physical shift.

Phoenix improved to 16–9 on the season, showing they remain a force in the Western Conference, whereas Washington slipped to 12–13 with concerns mounting over consistency and game-to-game adjustment Reddit+11The Washington Post+11mystics.wnba.com+11.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Phoenix and Washington

For the Mercury: They’re deepening their identity as a team capable of shifting momentum through paint dominance and veteran poise. Alyssa Thomas continues to prove why she remains one of the top all-around players in the league. The Wig Moment might become a viral footnote—but the win shows the team can close games without relying on outside shooting or scorers like Diana Taurasi or Brittney Griner, both sidelined this season or limiting minutes RedditWikipedia.

For the Mystics: The loss underlined a growing gap between bench effectiveness and starter production. They rode a strong first half but lacked adjustment in the second. Their home offensive strategy broke down under pressure, leading to turnovers and missed opportunities. Defensive breakdowns compounded their inability to contest interior scoring by Phoenix—and expose their thin rotation down the stretch Bullets ForeverESPN.com.

The Unexpected Legacy of a Brief Incident

Depending on how the rest of the season goes, Copper’s wig incident could become an enduring viral anecdote—a footnote in highlight reels or locker-room lore. But right now, it serves as a moment that humanizes athletes: even top tiers can experience wardrobe failure in the heat of competition.

Copper’s professionalism—returning after the incident and continuing to contribute within the flow of the game—also speaks to character. It’s unlikely the incident will impact her but it dominates today’s sports conversation, eclipsing movements like Seattle’s comeback attempt on the other side of the league, Dallas’s bench bursts, or any narrative involving Phoenix’s older core adjusting post-Taurasi/Griner RedditReddit.

Looking Ahead: Schedule Implications

Phoenix Mercury will remain active through early August, including games at Indiana (July 30), back-to-back home versus Atlanta (Aug 1) and Chicago (Aug 3), with a full slate leading into mid-month. Maintaining energy and focus during this stretch will be key, especially as playoff seeding looms WikipediaWikipedia.

Washington Mystics attempt to regroup at home against the Chicago Sky next (Tuesday), before finishing a homestand versus the Golden State Valkyries. Their ability to respond to physical pressure and offensive inconsistency will dictate their playoff prospects in the Eastern Conference Wikipedia+2The Washington Post+2Reddit+2.

In Summary

Kahleah Copper’s wig removal became an instant viral moment that overshadowed one of the Mercury’s more complete second-half efforts this season. Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas turned in a signature performance, cementing Phoenix’s control through physical dominance and resilience.

The Mystics, still searching for consistency and a reliable adjustment plug mid-game, face a test of character. The Mercury, buoyed by veteran savvy and rotation depth, continue their climb in the playoff picture despite missing earlier stars.

Ultimately, the night became emblematic of WNBA’s dual appeal: high-level basketball and unpredictable, undeniably human moments.

Key Takeaways

Viral wardrobe malfunctions happen—even at the elite level—and Copper handled it professionally by returning to the game.

Alyssa Thomas’s stat line and execution helped Phoenix completely flip the script in the third quarter.

Washington’s promising first half collapsed under Phoenix’s pressure, exposing the Mystics’ inability to adapt or sustain efficiency.

Phoenix improves to 16–9, while Washington drops to 12–13 heading into a demanding stretch of schedule.

The storyline continues: how will Copper and the Mercury respond next game? And can the Mystics bounce back under pressure?

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