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Alyssa Thomas Hits Career Milestone in First Game Against Former Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Carter Evenson | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 10:59 PM ET

Former Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas made her return to Mohegan Sun Arena Wednesday, as her new team, the Phoenix Mercury, cruised to an 83-75 win.

Thomas hit a major career milestone during the game, picking up her 4,000th career point, becoming the 51st player in WNBA history to reach that mark.

Thomas was drafted out of Maryland by the New York Liberty in 2014 and immediately shipped to Connecticut, where she spent the next 11 seasons with the Sun. Thomas is the Sun's career leader in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

After her time in Connecticut, Thomas was sent to Phoenix earlier this year, in a massive four-team trade that sent WNBA All-Star Satou Sabally to the Mercury as well. In return for Thomas, the Sun received Jacy Sheldon, Rebecca Allen, Natasha Cloud and the 8th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which the Sun used on Saniya Rivers.

Power. Persistence. Pure buckets.

4,000 career points for The Engine! pic.twitter.com/oOy8JD5Vro
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 18, 2025

Thomas played well in her return to Connecticut, posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists and flirted with triple triple-double, adding eight rebounds as well. The game marks Thomas' fourth outing in a row with double-digit assists, averaging 12.3 assists per game over that stretch.

Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper and Lexi Held added double-digit points, and Sabally added 15 rebounds to drive the Mercury to victory.

Before the game, the Sun honored Thomas and her time in Connecticut with a tribute video. Fans applauded, and the moment was not lost on Thomas, who was seen giving an emotional reaction to the video.

Connecticut Sun fans and the franchise show their appreciation for 5x-time All-Star, Alyssa Thomas @athomas_25

Thomas experienced a full range of emotions after seeing the tribute video before the tip-off and hearing the outpour of applause from the Sun faithful. #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/9vA3UTZ267
— Kenneth Manoj (@kenneth_manoj) June 18, 2025