Phoenix Mercury HC Clears the Air on WNBA Veteran Who Stayed Silent on Injury Report Ahead of Seattle Game

“No need to talk about it, we are good,” Alyssa Thomas responded when questioned about her arm injury. The forward took a ‘break’ holding her left arm during a game against the LA Sparks at Footprint Center. But soon enough, the home crowd was in awe, and viewers puzzled as she took to the court to play like nothing had happened. Looks like that’s what defines Thomas the best– tough, no breaks, and a befitting view of injuries that Nate Tibbetts just revealed.

During the third quarter of the Phoenix Mercury vs LA Sparks game, Alyssa Thomas managed a steal, following the scorers and knocking the ball out of bounds. Mercury had a seven-point lead, and AT’s defensive play made sure it stayed that way. But the star was clearly feeling the pain in her left arm as she walked back to the bench. Videos and images of a ‘small bump’ near the wrist region went viral, nearly confirming Thomas to sit out the rest of the game.

But the fighter stepped on the court once again, even scored baskets, and made defensive stops to help her side register an 89-86 win over the Sparks. In the pre-game interview vs the Storm, when the Mercury HC Nate Tibbetts was asked about it, his answer raised curiosity.

“I don’t think AT believes in scans.” Tibbets said, “She is super tough. She is ready to go. No minutes’ restrictions.” Tibbs’ answer was in line with Alyssa Thomas’s intentions – keeping it under wraps. The only positive sign from the answer would be the ‘no minutes’ restriction part, hinting that the star forward is ready to play once again.

This brings back memories of young AT playing through her shoulder injuries. The 6-foot-2 star was drafted in 2014 and, a season later, suffered a partially torn labrum in her right shoulder. It forced her to sit out about 10 games, and that was it.

But just two seasons later, she hurt the other side while playing in South Korea, and then right shoulder was hit once again in 2018. There was still no end. In 2020, the Mercury forward dislocated her shoulder and the following campaign, tore her ACL. But nothing stopped Thomas. She continued playing and became ambidextrous while going through the ‘injury laden’ phase of her career.

“My mom was always tough. When we fell down, just ‘Get up’ and ‘You’re fine,'” Thomas told in an interview. “So I think it really started there. And as I’ve gone on through my career, I know when I can go and I know when I can’t go.” She certainly is aware of that. Because even after all the hits she had taken, the ‘point guard in a forward’s body,’ as they call her, went on to have a breakout season in 2023. She recorded career highs in points (15.5), rebounds (9.9) and assists (7.9) and even blocks (.5), finishing second in the MVP voting.

And now, traded to the Phoenix Mercury, the star is once again putting up massive numbers to help her ‘rebuilding’ side.

Alyssa Thomas found a new home at the Phoenix Mercury

Drafted by the New York Liberty in 2014, Alyssa Thomas was part of the draft day trade, moving her to the Connecticut Sun. Spending 11 seasons at the franchise, AT earned All-Star honors five times, an All-WNBA Rookie selection, a WNBA peak performer (2023) accolade and two trips to the WNBA finals. Now she is with the Phoenix Mercury, looking to get over the hump and win a title.

The 2023 league leader in rebounds is leading the team in assists (6.5 apg) and rebounds (6 rpg) and also stands second in scoring (19.5). In absence of star guard Kahlea Copper, Alyssa Thomas is holding the flag for the Phoenix Mercury alongside another major acquisition, Satou Sabally.

Even though the sample size is small (just 2 regular season games), the chemistry shown between two vet forwards and the rookies is an encouraging sign for the Mercury side, who last won the title in 2014 – ironically, AT’s rookie year.