New WNBA Champion: Phoenix Mercury Advances to Semifinals
In 2025, there will be a new champion in the WNBA. Alyssa Thomas, with a stellar performance, led the Phoenix Mercury to the semifinals, eliminating the defending champions, the New York Liberty. Thomas achieved the first 20-point triple-double in WNBA postseason history. Her performance, which included 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, was crucial for the Mercury’s victory with a score of 79-73 in Game 3. With this achievement, Thomas adds nine triple-doubles in the season and five of the seven triple-doubles in WNBA playoffs. She is the second player to achieve a triple-double in a decisive game, following in the footsteps of Sheryl Swoopes in 2005.The “MVP” chants echoed through the PHX Arena as Thomas shot free throws in the final seconds of the game. On this same day, she was announced as a finalist for the Most Valuable Player award. Thomas, who played 11 seasons in Connecticut before being traded to Phoenix, celebrated with coach Tibbetts and teammate DeWanna Bonner as the final buzzer sounded. The Mercury, ranked fourth, will face the Lynx, the top-ranked team, in the best-of-five semifinals, which will begin on Sunday in Minnesota.This is what she does. She impacts the game in many different ways. She cares about one thing and that is winning. When you have a player of her caliber and with so much pride in winning a game, you are going to have a great game.
Nate Tibbetts, Mercury Coach
Breanna Stewart of the Liberty tried to keep the title defense alive, but Bonner’s game and Phoenix’s execution were decisive. The Mercury’s stellar trio, composed of Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, and Thomas, contributed 74 of the team’s 79 points. Sabally achieved her first playoff double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Phoenix dominated the rebounds, with a 49-33 advantage. Copper grabbed nine rebounds, in addition to her 12 points, including an acrobatic play that secured the five-point lead for Phoenix in the final moments.AT is incredible. Although this sucks, I’m excited to see what she continues to do in the rest of the playoffs because we had a nightmare defending her. I’m sure everyone else will have it too.
Breanna Stewart, Liberty Player
“AT is incredible,” said Liberty’s Breanna Stewart about Alyssa Thomas. “Even though this sucks, I’m excited to see what she continues to do in the rest of the playoffs because we had a nightmare defending her. I’m sure everyone else will have it too.”
Sandy Brondello, Liberty coach, commented that Phoenix executed better when it really mattered. Stewart, despite playing with an injury, finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals, scoring all 14 of the Liberty’s points in the final quarter. Sabrina Ionescu added 22 points, six rebounds and six assists. Phoenix and Minnesota have faced each other four times, with the Lynx winning the regular season series 3-1. Copper and Thomas missed the first two games, while Copper and Sabally missed the next two.They haven’t seen us at our full strength.
Alyssa Thomas
We are excited. Round 2, let’s go for it!
Satou Sabally
