The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury 4-0 in the 2025 WNBA title series. Although it was a sweep on paper, the Phoenix team provided a stiff challenge throughout the series, particularly in the Games played at the PHX Arena. The guard Kahleah Copper led the charge for the Mercury in both home games and especially in Game 4, which nearly was a knockout game for the Mercury.
But DeWanna Bonner said the Mercury playoff turnarounds could not match up to the Aces in the WNBA Finals; the Arizona team came woefully short of achieving its goal. Analyzing the progress midway into the game, Copper was not happy with the officiating, though.
Kahleah Copper Criticizes Referees In Game 4
The devastated forward wasn’t pleased with the referee’s work in the game, as her initial response off the court indicated. She continued to glance at the officials during an on-court interview by ESPN’s Holly Rowe. In a midgame interview, between the third and the fourth quarter, the Phoenix team trimmed the halftime lead to 14 points, but they had much work ahead.
Answering Rowe’s question on the fightback, “I think the refs aren’t doing a good job tonight. I’m sorry. But we’re just trying to keep our heads. Keep our heads and just try to chip away,” Copper said.
Kahleah Copper isn't is big fan of the refs tonight 😅#WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/H2vDPemN2h
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 11, 2025
The 2021 finals MVP was on a hot scoring run in the third quarter, scoring 13 of the 24 Mercury points. She struggled early on in the game with nine points in the first half, and the hosts’ offensive struggle once again allowed the Aces to gain hold of the proceedings right from the start. Copper finished the game with 30 points.
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After Game 3 loss, Nate Tibbetts took a shot at WNBA officiating for inconsistency, giving some examples from the game. While the WNBA referees have been under fire this season, the league is fining all the complaints. The 2021 champion has a special message for her teammates after the loss.
Kahleah Copper Sends Message To Teammates After Finals Loss
The veteran star came close to winning her second championship as the talented roster overcame many obstacles to reach the Finals, but fell to the mighty Aces in a best-of-seven finals series. While it was a heartbreaking result for many, the former Rutgers star was especially hurt by the loss at the PHX Arena.
Trying to motivate players for the upcoming season, she said, “Just take a couple of seconds, hear it, feel it … let that fuel you.”
Interestingly, such motivation kept them going throughout the postseason. Satou Sabally also mentioned that the underdog role suits them and fuels them in the games. The side was underdogs throughout the playoff series, but the team defeated both 2024 WNBA Finalists to reach the 2025 final.
They will look to run it back once again, adding some quality depth to the side.