UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Alyssa Thomas didn’t realize she was about to break the WNBA single-season assist record. Her main focus was helping her team win and improve their playoff position. Although she surpassed the 337 assists mark set by Caitlin Clark last season, Thomas’ Mercury did not achieve victory against the Connecticut Sun on Saturday, falling 87-84.
Thomas needed six assists for Saturday’s game against Connecticut, where he played for many years before joining Phoenix this season as a free agent.Honestly, I didn’t know I was that close. I didn’t focus on it, but I definitely give credit to my teammates; I couldn’t do it without them. It’s been a big change for me this year with a new offense that allows me to go out and make the reads I need to make.
Alyssa Thomas
The record-breaking assist came with a three-pointer from Kathryn Westbeld in the second quarter, with 4:45 remaining. Thomas finished the game with 10 assists, totaling 342 for the season.It was my home for 11 years and it was incredible to be able to do it in front of them. It all started here, so yes, it’s great, a full-circle moment.
Alyssa Thomas
Thomas had already held the record in 2023 with 316 assists, playing for Connecticut. Clark broke it a year later as a rookie. Now, Thomas, 33, who also holds the record for triple-doubles in a season and in her WNBA career, regained the record. She only needed 37 games to achieve it. The most impressive thing about Thomas’s achievement is that he has achieved it from the small forward position. Since his time with the Sun, Thomas has been a point forward, facilitating the Mercury’s offense. Many of his assists this year have been on three-pointers, almost half of them coming from shots behind the three-point line. Currently, Thomas is seventh on the league’s all-time assists list, with over 1,800 assists, being the only forward in the top 10. This season, Thomas has averaged a career-high 9.2 assists, a figure lower than the record of 9.95 set by Courtney Vandersloot in 2020.I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by so many great three-point shooters, so they make my job easier. I pass the ball to the open person, and the rest is up to them to score. I give them credit, they back me up that way.
Alyssa Thomas
