The scoreboard said it all. Phoenix 107, Chicago 86. It was the Mercury’s best offensive showing of the season-and it came right on the Sky’s home floor.
But what happened after the final buzzer may have stirred up even more noise than the blowout itself.
Shortly after the game, Phoenix forward Kahleah Copper took to X (formerly Twitter) with a not-so-innocent message: “DUBS IN THE MF CHATTTT.”
To the casual fan, it looked like a standard victory post. But for those following the WNBA’s storylines this season, the phrase hit a little differently.
Copper’s Post Strikes a Nerve by Echoing Angel Reese’s Viral Celebration
Back in February, Chicago’s Angel Reese went viral after celebrating her first pro win with the now-iconic: “DUBS IN THE CHAT! THANK YAAAA!” The post became a catchphrase among her growing fanbase, with waves of “W’s” flooding the replies.
So when Copper-once the face of the Sky, now leading Phoenix-used almost the same words to celebrate a win over Reese’s team, fans read between the lines. Fast.
Social media didn’t miss a beat. The comparisons were instant, with fans either applauding Copper’s confidence or calling it petty. The timing? Impeccable. The rivalry? Suddenly very real.
According to ESPN, the Mercury’s 107-point performance was their highest output of the season. And The Athletic recently noted that Copper’s offseason move to Phoenix was one of the league’s most emotionally charged departures.
Reese didn’t respond directly, though she posted a quiet “on to the next” on Instagram Stories hours later. No names were dropped-but the tension is now unmistakable.
The next time these two teams meet, it’s not just about basketball anymore. It’s about pride, past ties, and who owns the chat.
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