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History on the Line: Alyssa Thomas’s Triple-Double Streak Faces Test as Mercury Host Dream
It is a game that has everything a basketball fan could ask for: two of the best teams in the league, both on impressive winning streaks, battling for crucial playoff positioning. But Sunday’s marquee matchup between the host Phoenix Mercury and the visiting Atlanta Dream is more than just a clash of titans; it is a history watch. All eyes will be on Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas as she attempts to do something no player in the 29-year history of the WNBA has ever done: record a fourth consecutive triple-double. Her personal quest for history is the centerpiece of a massive showdown that could have major implications on the championship race.
The A.T. Engine: A Historic Run
What Alyssa Thomas is doing right now is simply unprecedented. The veteran forward, in her first season with the Mercury after a decorated 11-year career in Connecticut, has completely transformed her new team and is playing the best basketball of her life. She enters Sunday’s game on the heels of a WNBA-record three straight triple-doubles, a display of all-around brilliance that has firmly established her as the front-runner for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The streak began on August 3 against Chicago (10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists), continued against her former team, Connecticut (13 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists), and culminated in a dominant performance against Indiana on Thursday (18 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists).
As she left the court in that last game, the home fans showered her with chants of “MVP,” a testament to the immediate and profound impact she has had on the franchise. “I’ve always prided myself on trying to be an all-around player,” said Thomas, whose 9.2 assists per game leads the entire league. “I just go out and take whatever the game gives me.”
Her coach, Nate Tibbetts, was even more effusive in his praise. “A.T. is an unbelievable player,” he said. “She competes on each and every possession defensively. She wants to see her teammates succeed.” It is that combination of individual brilliance and unselfish team play that has made her the engine of this Mercury team.
A look at the numbers shows two of the best and hottest teams in the WNBA, locked in a battle for home-court advantage in the playoffs. For more info on all the teams in the league, you can visit our general WNBA teams page.
| Team | Record | Conference Standing | Recent Form (Last 10) |
| Phoenix Mercury | 19-11 | 3rd in West | 8-2 |
| Atlanta Dream | 19-11 | 2nd in East | 7-3 |
The Dream’s Own MVP Candidate
While Thomas has been grabbing the headlines, the Atlanta Dream have their own legitimate MVP candidate in Allisha Gray. The veteran wing has been spectacular this season and has been the driving force behind Atlanta’s own four-game winning streak. Gray has been particularly dominant against the Mercury this season. The Dream have already clinched the season series with two double-digit victories over Phoenix, and Gray was the best player on the court in both of those games. She poured in 28 points in their first meeting on July 23 and followed it up with 26 points on August 1. She is the one player who has consistently been able to solve the Mercury defense, and her individual battle with Alyssa Thomas will be a fantastic matchup of two of the league’s best all-around players.
“(We’ve) already talked about ‘Leash’ (Gray) playing at an MVP level,” said Dream coach Tanisha Wright. Wright also praised her team’s depth, which has been a key to their success. “You need those players off the bench to give you a spark. Nia (Coffey) gave us a huge lift. When we were playing our best, she was out there.”
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The Supporting Casts and Key Matchups
This game is more than just a two-player showdown; both teams are loaded with talent. For Atlanta, the play of point guard Jordin Canada has been crucial. For Phoenix, the health of superstar center Brittney Griner is a major question mark. After celebrating her return to Phoenix earlier this season, Griner has missed the last three games with a neck injury, and her status for Sunday’s game is uncertain. Her presence in the paint would be a massive boost for the Mercury on both ends of the floor. The ever-changing nature of WNBA rosters and injury reports is a key factor to consider, a topic often explored in our expert betting guide.
The head-to-head statistical battle between the two MVP candidates highlights their all-around excellence. You can find detailed reviews of the top betting sites from the best handicappers sites reviews.
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG |
| Alyssa Thomas (PHX) | 15.9 | 8.7 | 9.2 | 1.8 |
| Allisha Gray (ATL) | 18.5 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 1.5 |
The Betting Outlook
The home page has this matchup listed as one of the games of the week. To find out who the top experts are picking, you can check out our list of the best handicappers. To see who our experts are backing in this clash of titans, check out our daily WNBA picks. To get access to even more premium content and betting tools, you must first login or register for an account today.
