Alyssa Thomas Powers Mercury Past Lynx in Comeback \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Alyssa Thomas scored a career-high 29 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Phoenix Mercury to a 79-71 comeback win over the Minnesota Lynx. The Mercury ended the game on a dominant 19-4 run. Thomas’ heroics helped offset key absences and poor 3-point shooting.
Quick Looks
- Alyssa Thomas scores career-best 29 points, 12 in 4th quarter
- Phoenix closes game with 19-4 run to stun Minnesota
- Thomas also adds 8 rebounds, 5 assists in win
- Mercury improve to 14-6 despite missing Copper, Sabally
- DeWanna Bonner returns, scores 7 in Phoenix debut
- Monique Akoa Makani adds 13, Sami Whitcomb scores 10
- Mercury shoot just 1-for-16 from 3-point range
- Minnesota’s Courtney Williams scores 21, Collier adds 18
- Lynx fall to 17-3 after scoring only twice in last 5 minutes
- Mercury shoot 47% overall, go 10-for-10 at free throw line
Deep Look
In a stunning turnaround that showcased grit, leadership, and championship DNA, the Phoenix Mercury overcame late-game adversity and key absences to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 79–71 on Wednesday night. The win came courtesy of a brilliant performance from Alyssa Thomas, who posted a career-high 29 points, including a relentless 12-point surge in the fourth quarter that anchored a 19-4 game-ending run.
It was a performance that went beyond just the box score. Thomas not only shouldered the offensive load but also orchestrated the Mercury’s tempo, matched physicality with control, and delivered when it mattered most. With this game, Thomas reaffirmed why she is among the most important players in the WNBA — a hybrid forward who combines the vision of a point guard, the power of a post player, and the relentless motor of a defensive anchor.
Alyssa Thomas: Quiet MVP Candidate?
Alyssa Thomas’ game has always been about more than scoring, but on this night, she reminded the league that she can dominate as a scorer when needed. Her 14-of-24 shooting was efficient, often created by smart positioning, high-IQ cuts, and mid-range precision. She added 8 rebounds and 5 assists, narrowly missing another triple-double just two days after logging the 16th of her career.
What makes Thomas’ performance even more impressive is the timing. She took over in crunch time — when her team was without its two top scorers, Kahleah Copper (hamstring) and Satou Sabally (ankle), both sidelined for the second straight game. That meant Phoenix’s offensive scheme was missing nearly 35 points per game, and the pressure was squarely on veterans like Thomas to keep the team afloat. She didn’t just keep them afloat — she dragged them across the finish line.
DeWanna Bonner Returns, History in the Building
Adding to the drama was the emotional return of DeWanna Bonner, who signed with the Mercury just a day prior and suited up for the franchise where she spent the first decade of her WNBA career, winning championships in 2009 and 2014. Bonner had not played since June 10 and still contributed 7 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes, showing flashes of her familiar tenacity.
The timing of Bonner’s return couldn’t have been more poetic. Her chemistry with Thomas — her fiancée and former Sun teammate — was evident. Even when not scoring, Bonner provided composure and served as a calming influence on the floor, allowing Phoenix’s younger players to settle in against the top-ranked team in the league.
A Game of Two Halves: Mercury Weather the Storm
For much of the second half, it appeared the Mercury were destined to fall short. Courtney Williams led the way for Minnesota with 21 points, and her wild, off-balance three-pointer at the shot clock buzzer with 5:45 remaining gave the Lynx a 67-60 lead, capping what looked like a game-clinching stretch.
But the Lynx offense abruptly stalled. They would make just two field goals in the final five minutes — both by Napheesa Collier, who added 18 points. Phoenix’s defense turned up the pressure, forcing contested jumpers and cleaning the defensive glass.
On the other end, Thomas bullied her way inside for high-percentage looks, hitting runners, jumpers, and layups with the clock winding down. Monique Akoa Makani gave Phoenix a timely boost with 13 points, and Sami Whitcomb, fresh off a career-high 36-point outing, added 10 points, helping to absorb the loss of offensive firepower from Copper and Sabally.
Shooting Woes Can’t Stop Phoenix
Statistically, this wasn’t a perfect performance. The Mercury shot a dismal 1-of-16 from 3-point range, but made up for it with 47% shooting overall, constant interior pressure, and clutch free-throw shooting (10-for-10). That inside-out efficiency, combined with late-game execution and elite leadership, carried the day.
Minnesota, meanwhile, was outscored 19-4 in the final minutes, a collapse that could reverberate for a team with championship aspirations. The Lynx fall to 17-3 on the season — still the best record in the WNBA — but now face questions about their late-game composure, especially when the offense goes cold.
What It Means: Confidence Surge and Depth Test
For Phoenix, this was more than a win — it was a proof-of-concept. The Mercury didn’t need a perfect shooting night or a full-strength roster to beat the top team in the league. They needed defense, discipline, and superstar-level leadership. And they got all three.
The game also speaks volumes about the Mercury’s depth and coaching adjustments. With two All-Stars out, and a new player just added to the roster, Phoenix still managed to execute a comeback against a well-coached, defensively solid Minnesota team. That bodes well for the rest of the season.
For the Lynx, this may be a much-needed wake-up call. Though they remain a favorite for the title, they’ll need to develop more offensive counters and reestablish their defensive communication, particularly against physical frontcourts like Phoenix’s.
Alyssa Thomas Powers Alyssa Thomas Powers
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