Alyssa Thomas: An Underrated Star

Alyssa Thomas has often been overlooked in her career.

Now in her first season with the Phoenix Mercury, this former Connecticut Sun standout boasts the most triple-doubles in WNBA history and is consistently in the MVP conversation, even though she hasn’t yet taken home that award.

In the spotlight, Minnesota Lynx star Nafisa Collier and Las Vegas ace A’ja Wilson have been pivotal for their teams, helping them secure top positions in the league. Collier leads with an average of 23.5 points per game, just ahead of Wilson’s 23.4. Both have played critical roles in their teams’ impressive records—32-8 and 26-14 respectively.

Yet, Thomas certainly makes a strong case for herself.

This season, she has shattered several WNBA records. With a remarkable seven triple-doubles this year, she has outperformed every player in league history. Earlier this month, she became the first player to achieve three consecutive triple-doubles. Plus, with five games still left in the season, she’s only 20 assists away from breaking Kate Linklark’s record for most assists in a single season, which stands at 337.

Additionally, Thomas has set the franchise record for rebounds in her debut season with the Mercury. Right now, she ranks third in the league, only behind Wilson and Angel Reese.

Alyssa Thomas’s Stellar Season

In 2023, Thomas received the most MVP votes among WNBA players but ultimately lost out to A’ja Wilson. During that season, she averaged 15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 7.9 assists, with a shooting percentage of 47.4%.

This season, she has upped her performance, averaging 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.6 steals. At 32, she is enjoying her most productive season, shooting 53.9% from the field.

Currently, the Mercury holds a record of 25-14, placing them fourth in the league. Without Thomas, their record would have been 2-3 this season. The team’s recent form has been impressive; they’ve won six out of their last seven games, largely thanks to her contributions.

Last week, Mercury’s head coach Nate Tibbett wore an “AT FOR MVP” shirt and commented that Thomas’s case for the MVP award goes beyond mere statistics.

“It’s her commitment to defense… Her ability to grab defensive rebounds and initiate fast breaks is something special,” he said.

Tibbett highlighted another key aspect of Thomas’s game, her relentless pursuit of loose balls.

“The other day against Chicago, with just six seconds left and the game on the line, we missed a free throw. There were six players around the ball. Who came up with it? Alyssa Thomas.”

This season, no WNBA player has contributed more to offense—combining points and assists—than Thomas. With her on the court, the Mercury boasts a defensive rating of 98.5, making them one of the top defensive teams, a stark improvement from last season’s ninth-best rating.

Still, it’s uncertain if all this will be enough for her to clinch the MVP title. It seems almost unfair to think that, despite her achievements, Thomas could end her career without one.

“I think she deserves it,” Tibbett remarked. “Of course, there are others in the MVP conversation. It’s unfortunate that she’s been overlooked throughout her career, and in my view, she deserves every bit of recognition.”