‘Disrespected’ Alyssa Thomas Makes Feelings Clear on Playing As a Reserve After 6th All-Star Nod

Alyssa Thomas makes feelings clear on earning All-Star Reserve honors, citing disrespect for her play throughout her career.

Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas has earned her sixth WNBA All-Star honor. The 33-year-old veteran made the team as a reserve for the fourth straight year, though many fans consider her underrated.

How Does Thomas Feel About Her Latest All-Star Selection?

Even though Thomas wasn’t named a starter, she stayed positive about the honor. Speaking to the media after practice on Sunday, Thomas said, “Anytime here…an All-Star is just a huge honor…a lot of great players in the league. So to be along this long and then to be my sixth…just truly honored,” Thomas said.

“I think I’ve been so disrespected in my career that it doesn’t matter to me anymore. An All-Star nod is an All-Star nod. I get to play no matter what, so it doesn’t really matter to me,” she added.

Fans rallied behind Thomas on social media, with many believing she deserved better fan voting support. Her comments reflect years of being overlooked despite consistent production.

Thomas began her career in 2014 with the New York Liberty as the No. 4 overall pick, though the Liberty immediately traded her to the Connecticut Sun. She spent 11 seasons in Connecticut before Phoenix acquired her in February 2025 for Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and a 2025 WNBA Draft pick.

What Happened in Alyssa Thomas’ Return to Connecticut?

In June, Thomas returned to Connecticut for the first time since the trade. The Mohegan Sun Arena jumbotron displayed a two-minute tribute video capturing her entire Sun career, leaving Thomas visibly emotional.

The crowd gave her a standing ovation, and the moment went viral across social media during the game.

 

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Thomas had tears in her eyes as she watched the video, 11 years of memories flashing by in two minutes. The emotional moment showed how much her time in Connecticut meant to both her and the fans.

During her Connecticut tenure, Thomas earned five All-Star honors and 10 WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards. She also helped lead the Sun to two WNBA Finals appearances in 2019 and 2022. Fans nicknamed her “The Engine” for her versatile frontcourt play and ability to impact every aspect of the game.

Thomas put up 14 points and 11 assists in that emotional return game, helping Phoenix win 83-75. The performance showed she could handle the pressure of playing in front of her former home crowd.

In the 2025 season, Thomas is averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 9.4 assists while shooting 52.5% from the field. Her numbers show she’s still playing at an elite level despite being in her 12th WNBA season.

The Sun and Mercury will face each other again on Aug. 5, giving Thomas another chance to play in front of Connecticut fans who still appreciate everything she did for the franchise.

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