Alyssa Thomas sent a bold threat to the Las Vegas Aces ahead of Game 3. Unfortunately, despite the Mercury superstar’s best efforts, the Aces proved too strong to stop. However, that does not mean that Phoenix does not have any positives to take away. For one, they were the most consistent sides of the league. Facing off against the hot favorites, the Minnesota Lynx in the knockouts, not many fans gave Phoenix a chance. And while the team’s performance had garnered a lot of eyeballs, the contributions of the likes of Kristi Toliver cannot be ignored.
Toliver has been an integral part of the Mercury coaching staff. While she has usually been in the shadows of Nate Tibbetts, her consistency and dedication towards her work has been phenomenal. And Thomas is making sure that Toliver gets her due flowers.
Kristi Toliver Gets Words Of Praises From Alyssa Thomas
Tibbetts had one of the most disappointing experiences in Game 4 of the WNBA finals this year. As he complained about a foul not called, the Mercury head coach got a double tech and was eventually ejected. This paved the way for Toliver to take over. And immediately, her energy and intent were visible. The Mercury associate head coach sprang out of her seat and started to give her team the necessary directions.
Speaking about it, Thomas said Toliver had all the qualities to become a head coach in the future.“So, KT and I go way back. Just super proud of that, and first and foremost for her to even be here, but she’s a phenomenal coach. She definitely deserves her chance at being a head coach. Somebody who’s played and really knows the game. She’s ready for this moment,” said Thomas.
Alyssa Thomas advocated for Kristi Toliver to be a future WNBA head coach.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) October 11, 2025
“She’s a phenomenal coach. She definitely deserves her chance at being a head coach. Somebody that’s played and really knows the game. She’s ready for this moment.”
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Surely, apart from her coaching skills, Toliver had also been a phenomenal hooper during her playing days. Analysts regarded her as one of the best point guards in the league. What’s more? She also won two WNBA championships, one with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016 and the other with the Washington Mystics back in 2019. Now then, coming back to Thomas, she seemed quite dejected with her team’s defense following the Game 3 loss.
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Alyssa Thomas Criticizes Team’s Defense Post Game 3 Loss
The Mercury star did everything she could to guide her team to a turnaround. Even after having a brutal collision with Jewel Loyd in Game 4, the WNBA star looked undeterred. Unfortunately, Thomas could not save Phoenix despite her second-half return in Game 4. And while the series ended 0-4 for Mercury, it could well have been different. Only if Nate Tibbetts’ team had defended better in Game 3. Speaking about the same, Thomas termed her team’s defensive work as ‘unacceptable.’
“It’s no revenge and no elimination. We’ve had plenty of opportunities to go out there and get a win. At some point, we have to take it upon ourselves. Like I said, our first half was unacceptable, especially with the opportunity to play on your home court and go out there and get a win,” said Thomas.
Surely, it is evident that Thomas does not like to sugarcoat her words. While she can criticize her team in strong words, the Mercury star also heaps praise on somebody like Toliver for her impressive work.