In an exciting WNBA encounter, Alyssa Thomas, a standout player, has reclaimed the single-season assist record. The athlete, focused on her team’s success and improving their playoff ranking, was unaware that she was about to break the record. Thomas surpassed the 337 assists mark set by Caitlin Clark last season. Despite this individual achievement, Thomas’ team, the Mercury, did not achieve victory against the Connecticut Sun, losing 87-84.
To achieve the record, Thomas needed six assists in the game against Connecticut, where he played for many years before joining the Phoenix this season as a free agent.Honestly, I didn’t know I was even close. I didn’t focus on that, 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 just allows me to go out and make the reads I need to make.
Alyssa Thomas
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 ThomasThe assist that the record gave was a three-pointer by Kathryn Westbeld in the second quarter. Thomas finished the game with 10 assists, adding up to a total of 342 for the season.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 ThomasThomas 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 WNBA record for triple-doubles in a season and in her career, has reclaimed the record. She only needed 37 games to claim the mark.
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, with almost half 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 9.2 assists, a career high, although still below Courtney Vandersloot’s record of 9.95 set in 2020.
