Alyssa Thomas: A Triple-Double Machine! Before the 2025 season, the Phoenix Mercury made a brilliant move by acquiring Alyssa Thomas, and what followed was nothing short of spectacular. But here's where it gets interesting: Thomas nearly averaged a triple-double, showcasing her incredible versatility on the court. She averaged 15.4 points, 9.2 assists, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.
Her playmaking skills truly shone, leading the WNBA in assists and becoming the first Mercury player to achieve this since the legendary Diana Taurasi.
In her debut season with Phoenix, Thomas notched an astounding eight triple-doubles, setting a new league record. This is especially impressive when you consider she had six triple-doubles in 2023, the same year she finished second in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race. Although she received the most first-place votes (23 votes), Breanna Stewart ultimately won the MVP award with 446 points, narrowly edging out Thomas, who had 439 points. That MVP race was incredibly tight!
Thomas's ability to consistently achieve triple-doubles wasn't new; she had already demonstrated this skill during her college career.
In 2013, while playing for Maryland, Thomas made history during the ACC Tournament. She became the first player ever to record a triple-double in the tournament's history, propelling Maryland to an overtime victory against Wake Forest.
Maryland triumphed over Wake Forest with a score of 92-81, thanks to Thomas's outstanding performance: 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. This was a career-high in points for her at the time, a record she later surpassed in 2014 with 33 points against Tennessee.
In that game, Thomas was one of four players to score in double figures. Tianna Hawkins contributed a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, along with two assists and two blocks. Chloe Pavlech added 14 points and two assists, while Katie Rutan scored 13 points with four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.
Thomas's impact on the game is undeniable. When she plays at this level, her team is almost guaranteed success. Phoenix acquired a true star, and she led the team to the WNBA Finals. Now a free agent, if she re-signs with the Mercury, they'll have a strong chance of returning to the Finals.
What do you think about Alyssa Thomas's impact on the game? Do you think she should have won the MVP award in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments!
