Alyssa Thomas is inching ever closer to that elusive MVP crown—and the numbers suggest it’s only a matter of time. But here’s where things get interesting: despite one of the most complete seasons in recent WNBA history, she continues to be edged out by the league’s biggest names. So, what’s really keeping her from the top spot?
This year, Thomas stood shoulder to shoulder among the league’s elite finalists for the Most Valuable Player award. Alongside A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Allisha Gray, and Kelsey Mitchell, the Phoenix Mercury forward had another season that turned heads across the league. In the end, Wilson claimed her fourth MVP trophy—but Thomas’s campaign may have been her most impressive yet.
After being traded to the Phoenix Mercury in the off-season—part of a bold deal that also brought Satou Sabally to the desert—Thomas wasted no time making her presence felt. Her performance spoke volumes: she nearly averaged a triple-double, putting up 15.4 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.8 rebounds per game, while also adding 1.6 steals on defense. That kind of consistency and all-around dominance transformed the Mercury into a legitimate contender.
When the MVP votes were tallied, Thomas landed in third place overall, gathering three first-place votes and a total of 391 points. Collier took second with 18 first-place votes and 534 points, while Wilson dominated the field with a whopping 51 first-place votes—earning 657 out of a possible 720 points. The margin was wide, but the competition was fierce.
It’s worth remembering that Thomas has been part of the MVP conversation more often than most realize. Her first appearance in the voting came back in 2020, when she picked up four points—finishing ninth overall. DeWanna Bonner narrowly outpaced her that year with 11 points, while Diana Taurasi ranked seventh with 20. Ultimately, Wilson captured her first MVP that same season, starting her long run of dominance.
Fast-forward to 2022, and Thomas was officially back in the mix. That year, she climbed to fourth place, earning 94 points. Once again, Wilson ended up at the top with 31 first-place votes and 478 total points. The players wedged between them? Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum, both of whom had phenomenal seasons.
Then came 2023—a season for the record books. Thomas recorded six triple-doubles and delivered one of the most well-rounded campaigns in league history. It was enough to secure her a second-place finish in the MVP race, though Stewart ultimately walked away with the title, marking her second career MVP. Thomas didn’t slow down afterward. In 2024, she again battled her way into the top five, finishing fifth in the voting as Wilson reclaimed her MVP reign.
So now, the question everyone’s asking: Is 2025 finally the year Alyssa Thomas breaks through? Her steady climb from ninth to third—and her growing reputation as the heartbeat of her team—suggest that everything is aligning for that moment. Few players impact every facet of the game like she does, and even fewer maintain that level year after year.
For fans of the game, this debate isn’t just about statistics—it’s about what truly defines value in basketball. Is it scoring dominance, all-around versatility, or leadership that transforms a team’s identity? Many argue Thomas embodies all three. But do you agree? Should her all-around excellence finally tip the scale in her favor next season?
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