The Phoenix Mercury, recovering from back-to-back losses for the first time this season, found renewed momentum thanks to Alyssa Thomas triple-double leadership. In recent games, Thomas delivered standout performances, helping the Mercury overcome a shaky stretch and regain their position near the top of the standings.
After an unexpected defeat to the Dallas Wings, which raised questions about the long-term success of the Mercury’s approach, Thomas responded decisively. She recorded her first triple-double of the season against Dallas, scoring 15 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 15 assists. This achievement marked the 12th triple-double of her career, extending her league record.
Career-Best Scoring Fuels Win Over League Leader Minnesota Lynx
Just days after her triple-double, Thomas elevated her game further, posting a career-high 29 points along with eight rebounds and five assists in a victory against the Minnesota Lynx, who entered the matchup as league leaders. This win handed the Lynx their first loss of the season, emphasizing the Mercury’s surge in form as Thomas continues to perform at an MVP level.
Throughout the season, Thomas has been a remarkably versatile force. She is averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and a league-leading 9.5 assists per game, along with 1.6 steals, all while shooting a career-best 53.8% from the field. Aside from a brief absence earlier due to a calf injury, she has consistently delivered excellence on the court.
Statistical Dominance Highlights Thomas’s Impact on Mercury Success
Thomas ranks within the top 20 players across multiple statistical categories: she is 19th in scoring, 11th in rebounding, first in assists, ninth in steals, and sixth in win shares. Notably, no player in league history has ever matched the season-long combination of 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists that Thomas is currently on pace to achieve.
The Mercury’s record reflects her importance. With Thomas on the court, the team is 12-3 and holds a plus-13 net rating over 460 minutes played. Without her, they have struggled to 2-3 and a minus-2.0 net rating across 340 minutes. The team’s overall 14-6 record places them second in the league, positioning them well for potential homecourt advantage in the playoffs.
MVP Race Emerges as Collier and Thomas Battle for Top Honors
While Napheesa Collier is currently seen as the favorite for the MVP award, Thomas’s sustained high-level play may heighten competition for the league’s most prestigious individual accolade. The Mercury’s recent performances hint at a potentially tight race, especially if Thomas continues to lead her team with the same intensity.
This resurgence by the Mercury and Thomas’s triple-double leadership reinforce their status as major contenders as the season unfolds.
“Thomas put up 15 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists for her first triple-double of the season and 12th of her career, extending her all-time record.” —Source
“Thomas went off for a career-high 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a victory over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.” —Source
“No one in league history has ever put up a 15/7/9 season, which she is on pace to do.” —Source
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Alyssa Thomas have surgery?
A. While it’s tempting to say she’s a medical wonder, Thomas’s decision against surgery makes her mainly a wonder. Her stories usually highlight her incredible toughness as a starting point.
Q. Why doesn’t Alyssa Thomas get surgery?
A. She avoids getting them fixed, saying, “The surgery and recovery are tougher than dealing with my Achilles injury.” She understands this difficulty well. In January 2022, she tore her left leg’s tendon, needing eight hard months of rehab.
Q. Why does Alyssa Thomas shoot with one hand?
A. Thomas uses her left hand predominantly but also learned to use both hands equally well during her childhood. She has injuries to the cartilage in both shoulders. Michael Rosenberg from Sports Illustrated compared her one-handed shooting style to a waiter tossing a tray into the air.