"Nothing pisses me off more" - WNBA fans criticize Phoenix Mercury players for celebrating Kahleah Copper's birthday even after loss

Kahleah Copper and the Phoenix Mercury struggled in an 89-76 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday. The Mercury went down 25-15 to start the first quarter and never recovered. Copper finished the game with 13 points on 3-for-10 shooting, including 1-for-4 from deep.

The loss, however, did not dampen the Mercury players’ spirits as they wildly celebrated Copper’s birthday. Diana Taurasi, Natasha Cloud and Sophie Cunningham showed off their dance moves. Brittney Griner stole the whole show, though.

Basketball fans promptly reacted to the scene:

“Nothing pisses me off more than seeing this s**t!!! Damn, I knew they didn’t show up ready to play, but to see they really didn’t care.”

One fan sarcastically added:

Yay! We lost!

One fan commented:

“BG being the big booty one dancing in this was definitely not on my 2024 bingo card”

Another fan added:

“Guys do tend to be a little different. Not a lot of celebrating after a loss.”

One fan blasted the players, saying:

“This is why no one cares about WNBA. Losers party after a loss.”

"Despicable," another fan added.

Phoenix Mercury fans were likely disappointed as their team could have shown more energy against the Minnesota Lynx. Napheesa Collier’s 13-foot pullup jumper with four seconds left in the third quarter made it 71-52. Phoenix tried to rally in the final period but Minnesota had an answer to their every run.

Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham talked trash to Collier after making a layup, resulting in a technical foul for taunting. They were still down 82-69 when Cunningham was tossed out of the game. Kahleah Copper scattered eight points in the last period but that proved insufficient.

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The Phoenix Mercury could meet the Minnesota Lynx in the playoffs

The Phoenix Mercury’s loss to the Minnesota Lynx dropped their record to 16-16 for sixth place in the jockeying for playoff positions. If their slide continues, the 15-16 surging Indiana Fever could overtake them. If Phoenix barges into the postseason as the seventh seed, Minnesota could be waiting for them.

Judging by the feistiness of the game on Wednesday, a Mercury-Lynx first-round showdown would be exciting. Phoenix, though, can’t afford another lackluster start to pull off an upset in a likely entertaining series.

Diana Taurasi, Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner and Kahleah Copper have to play better. The Lynx, who already won the Commissioner’s Cup title, have been playing well. The Phoenix Mercury needs to be at their best to beat them in the playoffs.