In a season that was supposed to be dominated by Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson, and the super teams in New York and Las Vegas, Alyssa Thomas made everything into a three-way race. She battled her way into the MVP race and carved out a place for the Connecticut Sun in a regular-season tier just below the Liberty and Aces. Her game lacks the polish and flash of Stewart and Wilson but she's just as versatile, just as skilled, and has a legitimate argument as the hardest-working player in the WNBA. Watching her will her way to assists, rebounds and wins was an absolute joy this season.
- Ian Levy
FanSided Creative Editorial Director
Best fan moment of the year
Thomas set the WNBA record for career triple-doubles earlier in the season but played the finest game of her career two months later. On Sept. 5, in a 14-point win over the Sparks, Thomas put up 27 points on 11-of-14 from the field, with 14 assists, 12 rebounds, 6 steals and a block. It was a dominating performance and, statistically, one of the best games in league history.
What we’ll remember about this fandom a decade from now
Thomas has become synonymous with the triple-double in the WNBA, in an association that could prove to be just as enduring as it was for Oscar Robertson or Russell Westbrook. After recording one more triple-double in the playoffs this year, Thomas now has 11 for her career — meaning she's personally responsible for more than a third of the 32 triple-doubles that have ever been recorded in the WNBA, regular-season or playoffs.