Veterans' Battle: Bonner and Thomas Show Fight for Phoenix

In a tough 110-85 playoff loss to the Las Vegas Aces, the Phoenix Mercury found resilience in the veteran leadership of DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, both of whom recorded hard-fought double-doubles. Bonner, a seasoned forward known for her scoring and versatility, put up 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, battling inside against a formidable Aces frontcourt. Her performance was a display of the experience and determination that the Mercury will need to rely on as they look to bounce back in the series. Despite the lopsided score, Bonner’s effort never wavered.

Alongside her, Alyssa Thomas made her presence felt all over the court, embodying her reputation as one of the league's most versatile and tenacious players. Thomas finished with an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, recording a triple-double in a losing effort. Her relentless motor was on full display as she crashed the boards, pushed the ball in transition, and created scoring opportunities for her teammates. Thomas’s ability to impact the game in so many different ways was a bright spot for a Mercury team that struggled for consistency.

The duo of Bonner and Thomas represents the veteran core of this Phoenix Mercury team. Both were key acquisitions meant to bring toughness, playoff experience, and high basketball IQ to the roster. Coached by Nate Tibbetts, the Mercury's system often leans on these veterans to provide stability and leadership, especially in high-pressure playoff environments. Their combined stat line of 31 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 assists demonstrates their significant contribution, even when the team as a whole was outplayed.

Facing off against the defending champion Aces, Bonner and Thomas were tasked with difficult matchups all night. Bonner spent time guarding the dominant A'ja Wilson, while Thomas had to contend with the Aces' fast-paced offense and physical interior play. Despite the challenge, both players held their own. Bonner used her length and experience to contest shots and secure defensive rebounds, while Thomas’s physicality and court vision were a consistent source of offense for the Mercury. They refused to let the game become a total blowout without a fight, battling for loose balls and trying to rally their teammates until the final whistle.

While the double-doubles from Bonner and Thomas will be overshadowed by the loss, their performances are a crucial building block for the Mercury. For Phoenix to have any chance of turning this series around, they will need to harness the grit and determination shown by their veteran leaders. The challenge will be to translate that individual effort into a more cohesive team performance, with better support from the rest of the roster. As they prepare for a critical Game 2, the Mercury can look to the unwavering effort of DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas as the standard for the fight that will be required.