MM 4.30: Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury demolish Japanese national team
This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 29: Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Phoenix Mercury grabs the rebound during the game against the Japanese Women National Team during a 2026 preseason game on April 29, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The WNBA preseason has just begun, but former Maryland women’s basketball great Alyssa Thomas already looks to be in pure midseason form.
Alyssa Thomas casually hunting matchups near the elbow. The ball-screen action between her and Sami Whitcomb will be important again this year. Thomas gets the switch, faces up, and delivers pic.
twitter. com/ZYyl5kUN1X — Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 30, 2026 Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury faced off against the Japanese national team — yes, THE Japanese national team — in an exhibition game Wednesday, and the Mercury came away with an 86-60 win. With more than 7,000 fans in attendance, Thomas put on a clinic, finishing with eight points, six rebounds and a whopping nine assists across 26 minutes.
The amount of back cuts Alyssa Thomas finds her teammates on is just silly pic. twitter. com/hU1JeRcEHI — Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 30, 2026 The WNBA’s single-season triple-double record holder looks like she has a chance of rebreaking her own record before her 13th professional season even tips off.