UNCASVILLE (Conn.) -- Guard Briann Jan knows what it's like to face Alyssa. She has played against Thomas for many years. After Thursday's 2021 WNBA playoff match, January smiled and reminisced about the great times shared on the Connecticut Sun.
January stated that she has always admired Thomas' toughness after they beat the Chicago Sky in Game 2. The series was in its semifinals. "There are a few league players that you know work very hard. She's a great friend of mine. I would be mad if she played me. She's simply amazing."
Thomas was playing her fourth game of the season, having just returned from an Achilles tendon injury. She had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Six assists, two steals, and six assists. Thomas played like her old self on Tuesday night, when the Sun lost the opener and Jonquel Jones, league MVP, was struggling.
Thomas described the injury she sustained in January while overseas playing as "probably one of the most difficult things I've ever experienced." There are many difficult days. I am a perfectionist and I have gotten so used to getting back up from difficult situations. It was frustrating to have days that were not good, and couldn't push myself or get after it.
"You have to start at ground zero in order to learn to walk again. It was a slow, difficult process. You just have to be happy with the little things.
Thomas's WNBA success is no small feat. She has suffered from labral tears for many years in her shoulders. She was in the WNBA bubble in Bradenton Florida last year and had to leave Game 2 against Las Vegas because of a dislocated shoulder. However, she returned for the remainder of the series.
Thomas' Achilles injury made it unlikely that she would be able play in the 2021 season. Thomas had other plans. Thomas had other ideas. She played in her first game on Sept. 15, and in her second in the regular season finale on Sept. 19. They combined for 11 points and 10 boards.
Chicago was outscored 21-9 by Connecticut in the fourth quarter. Alyssa Tom scored 13 points or assisted on 13 in that period. M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire
She had seven points and two assists in Tuesday's loss. Things looked grim for the top seed on Thursday after the Sun fell behind 11-0 to begin the game. Jones scored just four points from 2 of 9, her lowest score in any of her 53 Suns wins since 2019.
Curt Miller, Sun coach, said Jones was hit in the head shortly after the game had tipped off.
Miller stated that Miller was not happy with the outcome. Miller said, "She's got goose eggs like a golfball on her head. The physicality was very noticeable in her early days. We made her watch the game and then let her go.
Although it was not a great game for Jones it did make sure that the Sun didn't fall in a 0-2 hole in their best-of-five series. Thomas scored 13 points or assisted on 13 as the Sun outscored Sky 21-9 in the fourth quarter to win the game. Thomas finished the game with her 10th playoff double-double of career.
Miller spoke highly of Thomas, saying that she is "one of the most difficult people I've ever met." She has had to reinvent herself. She should have been a 'three-player' in this league. We've reimagined her as an facilitating 'four' because of her shoulders. It's amazing. She finds ways to overcome the physical limitations she faces.
