May it really be an ‘AT Time’. Alyssa Tomas is putting in high numbers for her side, and it’s possible that the star could end the regular season with the first-ever triple-double season average in WNBA. The Phoenix Mercury Head Coach, Nate Tibbetts, is campaigning for Thomas for the WNBA 2025 MBVP Award.
While he lauds her performances and impact on the court, he recently compared the forward with NBA star Damian Lillard, who is a member of the league’s 75th anniversary team, highlighting his massive contribution to men’s basketball.
Nate Tibbetts Compares Alyssa Tomas To Damian Lillard
The Phoenix Mercury defeated the New York Liberty at home, making a statement win close to the regular season’s conclusion. HC Tibbetts was happy with his team’s defensive performance, which held the defending champions to just 66 points. Yet he had to single out his tsar forward, who had another impactful game in 2025.
The coach compared the star to NBA superstars like Damian Lillard and Kevin Garnett, mentioning that the 33-year-old forward is at the same level as the team’s leader.
“I was lucky enough to be around Damian Lillard for 8 years. As far as like daily leadership and stuff like that, Dame is as good as it gets. From a competitive standpoint, wanting to win and everything, AT is on a level by herself,” Tibbetts said in the postgame interview.
Nate Tibbetts had some comparisons for Alyssa Thomas and Damian Lillard about their competitiveness.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) August 31, 2025
“As far as leadership, Dame’s as good as it gets. From a competitive standpoint, wanting to win and everything, AT’s on a level by herself.” pic.twitter.com/6tiQWk3lnY
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He also hailed KG for his training routines and impact on both ends of the floor. The 48-year-old coach spent the early years of her career with the Timberwolves, where he observed Garnett closely. He sees similar traits in Thomas.
Alyssa Thomas Could Wind Up With The Regular-Season MVP Award
While comparisons with Lillard and Kevin Garnett are certainly an honor, the superstar forward is closing on a regular-season MVP award. With the recent surge in performance, A‘ja Wilson and Kelsey Mitchell rose in the MVP power rankings, while Napheesa Collier and Thomas had been consistent throughout the season.
Though Collier, Wilson, and Mitchell excel in scoring, the Mercury forward is the top playmaker in the league and averages a respectable 16 points per game. She is also the top rebounder for her side.
Carrying the ‘revived’ Mercury team to fourth place is a commendable effort from the former Maryland star and will be a strong contender for the illustrious individual accolade. Her ‘overall’ impact could put her as the frontrunner for the MVP race.