Alyssa Thomas showcased why she’s known as “The Engine,” driving the Phoenix Mercury to a 79-71 win over the Minnesota Lynx on July 9. Her efficiency featured a career-best 29 factors, commanding consideration throughout the league and sparking MVP conversations. Recognized for her relentless motor and flexibility, Thomas disrupted Minnesota’s rhythm, pushed tempo, and created fixed matchup issues.
Her all-around influence has helped redefine the Mercury’s model of play. With followers and analysts buzzing, her means to dominate each ends of the ground has solely solidified her rising status as one of many WNBA’s most full gamers.
Alyssa Thomas Makes MVP Assertion in Mercury’s Win Over Lynx
Thomas delivered a career-best efficiency on July 9, scoring 29 factors to guide the Mercury to victory. Of her 29 factors, 12 got here within the fourth quarter, the place Phoenix closed on a decisive 19-4 run to safe the win.
Thomas shot 14-of-24 from the sphere and added 8 rebounds and 5 assists. She was coming off her sixteenth profession triple-double on Monday. Her late-game dominance included 10 factors throughout the Mercury’s closing push, together with back-to-back scores that turned a tied recreation right into a 75-71 lead.
Alyssa Thomas vs Minnesota:
29 PTS8 RBS5 AST14-24 FG
Phoenix wins, 79-71! 🏜️✨ pic.twitter.com/U8qkDHl30b
— I speak hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) July 9, 2025
Regardless of not being named an All-Star starter, Thomas’s two-way presence and management in crucial moments gas MVP discussions. Her robust outing got here in a head-to-head matchup with present MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier.
“Alyssa Thomas is a MACHINE,” one analyst posted, whereas one other was much more bullish.
“If AT wasn’t within the MVP dialog earlier than, she’s in it now. Napheesa Collier, Allisha Grey and Alyssa Thomas are prime 3 for me.”
Hear Alyssa Thomas is a LEGITIMATE MVP candidate. Not a distant 2nd. She’s proper there for me.
What a win for the Mercury!
— Natalie Esquire (@natfluential) July 9, 2025
“Yeah Alyssa Thomas quantity HEAVY in that MVP convo,” one other quipped
“Alyssa Thomas needs to be in your first sentence of MVP dialogue,” one other posted
Thomas’s fiancée and former teammate, DeWanna Bonner, made her season debut for Phoenix after signing as a free agent the day gone by. Bonner, who helped the Mercury win titles in 2009 and 2014, contributed seven factors and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes.
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“We’re extraordinarily excited for DB to be right here,” head coach Nate Tibbetts stated. “She’s somebody we’ve tried to go after the final two offseasons. We actually love her versatility, her playoff expertise, her shot making.”
Monique Akoa Makani added 13 factors, together with eight within the second half, whereas Sami Whitcomb had 10 for Phoenix (14-6), which performed with out Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper for the second straight recreation.
Courtney Williams led Minnesota (17-3) with 21 factors, whereas Napheesa Collier completed with 18 factors on 8-of-15 capturing and 7 rebounds.
Phoenix dominated the paint 56-34, with Thomas taking management within the absence of perimeter capturing. The Mercury hit simply 1-of-16 from deep. They’ll face the Golden State Valkyries on July 14.
