Alyssa Thomas is closer than ever to claiming the MVP crown – and this time, it feels personal.
For the past few seasons, Thomas has been on the outskirts of greatness, building a resume that’s impossible to ignore. This year, after an incredible run with the Phoenix Mercury, her name once again rang through MVP conversations. Though A’ja Wilson ultimately claimed her fourth Most Valuable Player title, the path Thomas took might be even more intriguing.
Thomas wasn’t just another finalist. Competing alongside A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Allisha Gray, and Kelsey Mitchell, she represented a new chapter for Phoenix. Her arrival, following a high-profile trade that also brought Satou Sabally to the valley, gave the Mercury an immediate spark — and a renewed sense of identity.
The results spoke for themselves. Nearly averaging a triple-double, Thomas posted 15.4 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game — plus a solid 1.6 steals nightly. Very few players in league history have filled the stat sheet as consistently as she did this season. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite those numbers, she still finished only third in the final MVP voting.
When the votes were tallied, Thomas secured three first-place votes and a total of 391 points, trailing behind Collier’s 534. Wilson dominated with 657 points and 51 first-place votes, a comfortable margin but not an uncontested one. Some fans argue that Thomas’s all-around impact was just as valuable — if not more — than Wilson’s scoring-led performance. What do you think?
This isn’t the first time Thomas has made MVP noise. Her journey in the voting landscape began back in 2020, when she earned her first acknowledgment with four points, finishing ninth overall. Teammates Diana Taurasi and DeWanna Bonner were ahead that year, but observers could already see Thomas’s rise coming.
By 2022, she had climbed to fourth in MVP voting, collecting 94 points in a season dominated again by Wilson. Between those two stood Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum — both formidable, yet neither overshadowed Thomas’s relentless hustle and playmaking.
Her true breakout, however, came in 2023. That year, Thomas delivered six triple-doubles, carving out a historic stat line that made veteran analysts call it one of the most complete seasons ever recorded. She finished second to Stewart, narrowly missing what many felt should have been her coronation.
Then came 2024 — another strong showing, another top-five finish. Wilson won again, but Thomas’s consistency has made one thing clear: her influence is growing, and she’s not done yet.
As the WNBA evolves, Alyssa Thomas continues to redefine what an MVP looks like. Her unselfishness, defensive tenacity, and leadership make her the engine of any team she joins. The biggest question now is — will next season finally be her year?
Some say she’s already playing like an MVP, just without the trophy. Others insist stats alone can’t capture her impact. So, where do you stand? Should the league rethink what ‘Most Valuable Player’ really means? Drop your thoughts below and join the debate.
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