Alyssa Thomas’ late charge for her first WNBA MVP award is gaining more and more steam following her performance on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
In the Phoenix Mercury’s 92-84 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, Thomas set a WNBA record with her seventh triple-double of the season. She now owns 40 percent<\/a> of all triple-doubles in league history, and she set another record by doling out 31 assists in just a two-game span against the Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries last Friday.<\/p>\n Thomas is averaging a career-high 15.9 points and is the runaway leader in total assists (299) as well as assists per game (9.3). She also ranks third in rebounding at 9.0 per game, her all-around impact showing that she truly does live up to her nickname: The Engine.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0History again for Alyssa Thomas in Mercury win<\/a><\/p>\n In totality, Thomas is in rarefied air that isn’t shared with another WNBA player. Her closest comparisons all play or have played in the NBA, and they are three of the greatest basketball players ever to set foot on the hardwood.<\/p>\n Thomas is one of only four NBA or WNBA players ever to average 15 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and one steal per game while shooting better than 50 percent from the field. The others? LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Magic Johnson, players who have combined to win 10 championships and 10 MVP awards.<\/p>\n Alyssa Thomas is out of this world #WNBA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PKlj5fiDe6<\/a><\/p>\n