A sudden timeout was called during the July 26 game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Washington Mystics due to an incident involving guard Kahleah Copper in the middle of the game. The moment went viral very fast.
The 30-year-old swerved around a teammate’s screen to get open late in the third quarter while the Mercury were ahead. However, amid the confusion as she drove toward the perimeter, her wig got entangled on Mystics guard Jade Melbourne, slipping off and spilling to the ground.
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Copper instantly turned around and retrieved the hairpiece before heading for the locker room as officials paused the game and called a timeout.
“Oh no,” the games broadcaster said on the call, reacting live as the moment unfolded in a video shared by Bricks Center. “Oh no, oh no, she’s going to head to the back. Oh no,” the broadcaster said, according to Sports Illustrated.
While most of the people in attendance did not make a big deal out of the odd event, one fan made fun of it. Copper’s teammates then crowded around officials and were pointing out the fan (a male).
The officials and referees could be heard saying among themselves, “They made fun of her for the situation on the floor.” The man was confronted by stadium security and removed.
Despite the game break, Copper returned to the court calm and focused. She contributed to Mercury’s double-digit lead at the end of the third quarter. Phoenix eventually won the game, 88-72.
Netizens on X gave their thoughts on the the incident.
One asked, “Is it fair to kick out a fan after they made fun of one of the players whose wig fell off during a basketball game?”
Another wrote, “Why you wearing wigs to play a game?”
Another opined, “I would sue for my money back. Ejecting a fan for making fun because a player lost a wig, which should be a violation of dress code or something, ridiculous.”
While another added, “Appears the bench didn’t like what was said. It’s possible the fan mad a racial slur. I’m sure we will find out soon enough.”
However, Sports Illustrated pointed out that Copper’s hairpiece mishap wasn’t the first. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aces star A’ja Wilson was seen assisting Copper with her wig after a mishap in a game overseas.
Wilson responded to a tweet hailing her “top tier” for assisting an Olympic teammate with, “We don’t play about that over hereeeee.” Copper, enjoying the support, replied to Wilson’s post, “A realllll oneeeeeee.”
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