A frustrating first half Friday ended in apparent injury for Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas. But the six-time WNBA All-Star, who rarely misses a moment on the court, returned to start the second half after a shoulder scare that had fans everywhere holding their breath.
Thomas hit the deck in pain after running into an illegal screen set by Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd. The offensive foul, and injury, occurred with 9.2 seconds left in the second quarter and with the Mercury behind the Aces 54-38 in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals.
Thomas didn’t seem to see Loyd while tracking Aces guard Jackie Young. She appeared to immediately clutch her right shoulder after the collision.
The former No. 4 overall pick is in her 12th WNBA season and notably plays with labral tears in each of her shoulders. Thomas has adapted her game around her physical limitations, continuing her triple-double ways.
“She’s going to compete. She’s going to leave it out there,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts told ESPN at the start of the second half. “Obviously, it was a shoulder issue. She’s had shoulder issues. But she’s as competitive as it gets. She’s here to win.”
Phoenix is looking for another comeback to stay alive in a series it trails 3-0.