Copper finished with a game-high 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.
In Candace Parker’s debut with her hometown team, it was fitting that she scored the first five points for the Sky in the team’s 70-56 win against the Washington Mystics on the road. Possibly more notable than Parker’s first game with a team that isn’t the Sparks in her now 14-year career was how she raised the ceiling for all her teammates, specifically Kahleah Copper. “I hope we don’t lose her to the Olympics for the 400 [meter dash], the 100 or 200 because she’s one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen,” Parker said. “She’s that rebounding guard that comes back and is able to get those boards. It’s definitely more fun for me to be on her team.” Copper finished with a game-high 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. There were multiple moments in Saturday’s game where Parker was able to heave the ball down court to Copper for a layup in transition. Parker knows those easy transition buckets are the result of fulfilling their responsibilities on defense. Parker’s three blocks accompanied her 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists nicely. Ahead of Saturday’s game, Diamond DeShields talked about coach and general manager James Wade’s expectations for herself and Copper this season.
