Alyssa Thomas said defensive changes were for Phoenix’s coaches to decide, telling a reporter, “I’m not the coach.” The Mercury finished 10th in the 2026 WNBA standings, missed the playoffs and ended the season with an 82-100 loss to Las Vegas.
Thomas closed the loss with nine assists, bringing her season total to 358 and breaking the WNBA single-season record she set with 357 in 2025. She averaged a league-best 8.5 assists per game.
Phoenix ranked 11th in defensive rating and 12th in offensive rating. Coach Nate Tibbetts said the team had not met its standard and had not always handled adversity well. Kelsey Plum, acquired from the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 2, suffered a season-ending injury; the trade also cost Phoenix its upcoming first-round draft pick.
