Image Credit: © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Phoenix Mercury Head Coach Nate Tibbetts Compares Alyssa Thomas to NBA Star Damian Lillard

Thomas has averaged 15.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game for the Mercury across 33 appearances.

Image Credit: © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Alyssa Thomas is on a roll this season! Leading the 2025 WNBA assists charts, and grabbing a spot in top five across multiple categories, Thomas has guided the Phoenix Mercury to multiple wins this season. Thomas has been in MVP conversations all through the season due to her consistency. As she continues to fuel her legitimacy for the honor, Thomas drew comparison to NBA star Damian Lillard from Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts.

The former NBA assistant head coach heaped praise on Portland Trail Blazers point guard and said, “I was lucky enough to be around Damian Lillard for 8 years. As far as like daily leadership and stuff like that, Dame is as good as it gets.” He then compared Thomas to Lillard and said, “From a competitive standpoint, wanting to win and everything, AT is on a level by herself.”

Nate Tibbetts had some comparisons for Alyssa Thomas and Damian Lillard about their competitiveness.

“As far as leadership, Dame’s as good as it gets. From a competitive standpoint, wanting to win and everything, AT’s on a level by herself.” pic.twitter.com/6tiQWk3lnY
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) August 31, 2025

Thomas was traded to the Phoenix Mercury before the 2025 season after spending a decade with the Connecticut Sun. Currently in her 11th season of the league, the two-time All-WNBA First Team member is yet to add a championship in her illustrated resume. After finishing the previous season at an average of 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 9.4 assists, Thomas has improved nearly every statistical category in the current season.

She has averaged 15.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game for the Mercury across 33 appearances.

Alyssa Thomas Adds Another Feather in Hat During Mercury’s Blowout Win Over Liberty

On Saturday, August 30, the Phoenix Mercury registered a blowout victory over the reigning champions, New York Liberty. During the game, Thomas added another feather to her hat and etched her name into the franchise record books. The 33-year-old finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and nine assists in 31 minutes of action. She was shooting 6-of-12 from the field and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line.

Alyssa Thomas has broken the Mercury franchise record for single-season rebounds with 303!
— PHNX Mercury (@PHNX_Mercury) August 31, 2025

With her five rebounds, Thomas surpassed Brianna Turner to record the most rebounds by a Mercury player in a single season. Thomas entered the game with 298 rebounds throughout the season, while Turner recorded 302 rebounds during the 2021 season. With the win, the Mercury improved the tally to 25-14, holding the third spot on the standings. They are now 0.5 games behind the second-seed holder Las Vegas Aces and six games behind the toppers, Minnesota Lynx.

Alyssa Thomas

Damian Lillard

Nate Tibbetts

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.