The Phoenix Mercury ended their losing streak on a high note by defeating the Washington Mystics 88-72. Alyssa Thomas led the charge with an outstanding performance, scoring 27 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists, nearly achieving a triple-double. Her impressive play continues to place her among the league leaders this season in several key categories.
Thomas’s Standout Season in Assists and Rebounds
Alyssa Thomas is having an MVP-level year, ranking first in the WNBA for assists with an average of 9.4 coming into the game against Washington. She also holds a strong position in rebounding, coming into the matchup seventh in the league with an average of 7.8 rebounds per game. Following her recent double-digit rebound effort, Thomas’s average has risen to eight, still maintaining her spot at seventh overall.
Current Leaders in the Rebounding Race
At the top of the rebounding leaderboard is Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, whose dominance on the boards is clear with an average of 12.5 rebounds per game, making her a tough player to catch. Behind Reese is Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, who averages 9.1 rebounds. Wilson is a versatile player impacting both offense and defense, giving her a strong chance to challenge Reese for the top spot this season.
Los Angeles Sparks’ Azura Stevens ranks third with an average of 8.6 rebounds per game, showcasing a solid season. Washington Mystics rookie Kiki Iriafen is fourth with 8.4 rebounds, highlighting the strong rebounding presence among the Mystics’ newcomers.
Close Competition Among the Top Five Rebounders
The fifth position is currently held by Dearica Hamby of the Los Angeles Sparks, who averages eight rebounds, the same mark Thomas has reached after her recent performance. Alongside Hamby, the Sparks have demonstrated notable strength on the boards with two players in the top five. Just behind this group is Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever, also with an average of eight rebounds, placing her sixth overall.
With Hamby, Boston, and Thomas all averaging eight rebounds, a three-way tie has emerged. This tight competition puts Thomas in an excellent position to break into the top five rebounders if she sustains her current level of play down the stretch.
Implications for Thomas’s MVP and Rebounding Ambitions
Alyssa Thomas’s efforts this season reflect not only in her rebound totals but across multiple facets of her game, reinforcing her case as a frontrunner in the MVP race. Should she continue to improve and climb the rebounding ranks alongside leading the league in assists, her impact on the Phoenix Mercury’s fortunes will only grow. Observers should keep a close eye on Thomas as the season progresses to see if she can challenge the established leaders like Reese and Wilson in rebounding, while also maintaining her playmaking dominance.