The Phoenix Mercury secured a postseason qualification for the 16th time in the last 18 seasons. The franchise won three titles in that period, finishing runners-up once in 2021. The storied franchise had many iconic players on its roster, but very few could match the efforts and performances Alyssa Thomas is putting in the 2025 season.
Satou Sabally earlier pushed Thomas as the MVP front-runner in the 2025 season, and now her head coach, Nate Tibbetts, is also campaigning her for the illustrious accolade. In a recent press conference, the 48-year-old coach pointed out AT’s qualities that make her a special player.
Mercury Head Coach Nate Tibbetts Praises Alyssa Thomas
When the Phoenix Mercury is in need of a win, HC Tibbetts turns to his reliable forward to do her ‘thing’. Averaging nearly a triple-double in the season, the 33-year-old star is at the peak of her game and elevating her teammates’ games, too. It is important to note that no player in the WNBA has averaged a triple-double in a season, and a historic feat could hand AT a well-deserved MVP award in 2025.
In a recent press conference, an interviewer asked the Mercury HC about Alyssa Thomas’ most valuable trait. He went on to mention at least three to four points that set his superstar forward apart from the rest.
“Well, I think, for me, it’s her assists. For her mom, it’s her rebounds. Her mom loves her rebounds. I think she impacts the game in so many ways. I think those are just the numbers, but you can’t put a value on her competitive spirit, focus & determination, and what she does on the defensive end. She’s probably the best free safety in our league,” Nate Tibbetts said in the press conference.
Nate Tibbetts was asked what Alyssa Thomas’ ‘most valuable trait’ is…
— PHNX Mercury (@PHNX_Mercury) August 29, 2025
“You can’t put a value on her competitive spirit, focus & determination, and what she does on the defensive end.”
“She’s probably the best free safety in our league” #AT4MVP pic.twitter.com/bzXcxMDmSE
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If the coach’s view is considered, Alyssa Thomas shattered the Mercury’s assists record in her very first season with the franchise. She also has 288 rebounds in the 2025 season and takes 12th place in the league’s all-time leading rebounder list.
Alyssa Thomas Is Having Another Historic Season
The player is setting new records in her first season with the Phoenix Mercury. The former Maryland star, Alyssa Thomas, broke her own triple-double record with her seventh triple-double in the season. She also crossed 100 double-doubles stats and became only the eighth player to accomplish the feat.
Apart from her 16-point and nine-rebound average, she provides nearly 10 assists per game. 9.3 assists, handing her teammates an opportunity to shine at the offensive end. The former steals and rebounds leader is taking the playmaker role in the 2025 season and leads the league in assists. As HC mentioned, her grit and never-give-up attitude encourage her teammates to perform at the highest level.