Alyssa Thomas was unaware that she was approaching breaking the WNBA’s single-season assist record. Her main focus was on assisting her team to win and enhance their playoff chances. She surpassed Caitlin Clark’s record of 337 assists from the previous season, but unfortunately, Thomas and her Mercury team fell short against the Connecticut Sun in a close 87-84 match on Saturday.
Expressing her surprise, Thomas mentioned, “Honestly, I didn’t realize I was getting close. I wasn’t concentrating on that, but I owe it to my teammates as I couldn’t have achieved it without them. This year has been a positive change for me with a new offensive strategy that allows me to read the game and make the necessary plays.”
Leading up to the game against Connecticut, Thomas needed six assists. It was a significant moment for her as she had previously played for Connecticut for 11 years before moving to Phoenix this season. She mentioned, “Connecticut was my home for 11 years, and it was fantastic to achieve this milestone in front of them. It all began here, so it’s a special full-circle moment.”
Thomas broke the record with her 342nd assist during the game, delivered on a three-pointer by Kathryn Westbeld in the corner. She acknowledged the contribution of her teammates, stating, “I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by exceptional three-point shooters, making my job easier. I find the open player, and they deliver the shot. Credit goes to them for their support.”
Having previously held the record in 2023 with 316 assists, Thomas saw Clark surpass it the following year. Now, at 33 years old, Thomas, also holding the WNBA triple-double records, has reclaimed the assist record. Notably, she achieved this milestone playing as a forward, a position she has excelled in since her time with the Sun, acting as a point-forward for the Mercury. A large portion of her assists this season has come from three-pointers, with almost half originating from beyond the arc.
Thomas stands at seventh place on the league’s all-time assist list, boasting over 1,800 assists, the lone forward in the top 10. Her current season average of 9.2 assists is a career-high, though slightly below Courtney Vandersloot’s record of 9.95 assists set in 2020.