A month into the season Sky star Kahleah Copper likes what she sees from her teammates, personally she’s striving for much more

LOS ANGELES — Sky star Kahleah Copper has realized loads about her new teammates a month into the season.

Nothing has taught her greater than how they’ve dealt with losses, particularly an 18-point defeat Might 30 in opposition to the Dream in Atlanta.

‘‘Proper after the sport, I spoke to the group,’’ Copper stated. ‘‘I simply stated: ‘I hope y’all can’t sleep tonight. I hope you consider it at this time. I hope you consider it tomorrow. This was a really humbling sport.’ ’’

What has been obvious since that loss is the Sky’s struggle. Coming into their sport Friday in opposition to the Sparks, that they had misplaced just one sport since — a one-point defeat in opposition to the Liberty.

The reason for his or her response, Copper stated, has been their skill to stay on the identical web page, whatever the circumstance.

‘‘We by no means hit the panic button,’’ Copper stated. ‘‘We stayed collectively after these losses; no person went their separate methods. So I like the place we’re.’’

Within the Sky’s first eight video games, Copper averaged 18 factors, 5.4 rebounds and two assists. She’s having the season everybody anticipated from her, each from a manufacturing standpoint and as a pacesetter.

Although she has two All-Star nods to her title and was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2021, Copper nonetheless feels as if she has one thing to show. Each time she steps on the courtroom, it exhibits.

‘‘I needed to develop into this franchise participant,’’ Copper stated. ‘‘It wasn’t like I acquired drafted No. 1, like others across the league. I acquired traded right here. I didn’t play right here. Then I performed. I acquired higher. I grew into this. That’s what makes it much more particular. This yr, me rising into that’s the place I write my legacy.’’

Copper desires one other All-Star choice to be a part of that legacy.

Her first got here in 2021, throughout what many referred to as a breakout season. Sky coach/basic supervisor James Wade, nonetheless, has been adamant that there was nothing ‘‘breakout’’ about it. In his thoughts, Copper all the time had been a star.

Her second got here final season. She was the Sky’s main scorer on a group of All-Stars that included Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley.

Incomes her third choice would carry a distinct degree of significance in her thoughts.

‘‘It might be far more particular,’’ Copper stated. ‘‘We speak about [getting it] out of the mud. That is out of the mud: Individuals actually counting you out, writing us off and writing me off individually.’’

With the departures of the Sky’s earlier franchise gamers, Copper’s ceiling solely has risen. All-Star voting started this week, and the Sky are pushing Copper onerous.

It’d seem like too early to say Copper is a lock for the sport July 15 in Las Vegas, however Wade stated she unequivocally has earned her spot already.

‘‘I don’t really feel like she has to solidify herself much more,’’ Wade stated. ‘‘She’s already completed what just one% of gamers within the WNBA have. It’s necessary for the sport that she’s

revered as an All-Star and handled as one. Meaning getting voted historically into All-Star Video games. She’s been an All-Star. There’s little question about it.’’