Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury held off the New York Liberty in a decisive Game 3 of their first-round series on Friday night, taking a 79–73 win and with it, a spot in the WNBA semifinals.
Thomas made some history in the process, becoming the first WNBA player to ever record a 20-point triple-double in the postseason with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists on the night. She added two steals and block to the box score for good measure.
ALYSSA THOMAS SHOWED OUT IN GAME 3! 💥
— NBA (@NBA) September 20, 2025
🔥 20 PTS
🔥 11 REB
🔥 11 AST
🔥 She became the first player in WNBA history to record a 20-point triple-double in the postseason
The Phoenix Mercury advance to the WNBA Semis! 👏pic.twitter.com/8OGusw4DWc
Thomas is no stranger to putting up triple-doubles. She entered the playoffs with a league-leading 23 triple-doubles over her 12-year career—no other player has more four. This was the fifth postseason triple-double of her career.
Chants of “MVP” rained down on the court as Thomas closed out the game from the free-throw line for the Mercury and officially sent home the reigning champions. Her teammates clearly agree with the assessment of the crowd.
Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally give Alyssa Thomas her flowers after she scored the most points in a triple-double in WNBA postseason history ❤️ pic.twitter.com/l3Ri6I1vj5
— espnW (@espnW) September 20, 2025
"This is just what she does," Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said after the game. "She impacts the game in so many different ways. She cares about one thing and that's winning. When you've got a player of her caliber and with that much pride to win a game, you're going to have a great game."
With the win, the Mercury advance to the WNBA semifinals, where they will face off against the Minnesota Lynx. Game 1 of the best-of-five series tips off on Sunday.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Alyssa Thomas’s Historic Triple-Double Fuels Mercury to WNBA Semifinals.
