What Alyssa Thomas believes the Mercury needs to change during dry spell

PHOENIX– A 4-11 record is unfamiliar territory for Alyssa Thomas. The frustrations, annoyances, and overall confusion seem to cloud over the Phoenix Mercury. Even with lively practices, it feels that progress is slowly being made.

Following a dominant season opener, that was the only glimpse of anything truly positive to look back on. Since then, the Mercury’s defense took a complete nosedive, something Thomas has emphasized time and time again.

Some of the struggles have to do with a lack of practice time, and key starters like Sami Whitcomb being injured, and Monique Akoa Makani fulfilling her overseas commitment.

It doesn’t excuse the poor play, and it’s not giving Thomas a reason to avoid the questions. When asked about balancing the process of improvement and urgency, she laid out a laundry list.

“A lot of it is our defense. We’re struggling to guard anybody. That comes down to; 1: pride. 2: learning from our mistakes and coming in here, being accountable,” she explained after Monday’s practice.

Although it was a good practice day, as she mentioned, a definitive improvement remains to be seen.

Alyssa Thomas seeks accountability from Mercury coaches

Yes, the players have a say in things, but coaches are the ones who can establish what the players want to build. Thomas has a track record, and has been notorious for having a Top 3 defense for her teams throughout her prime.

However, a big difference would be the coaches she’s played with. During her dominant run with the Connecticut Sun, Stephanie White was in charge. Her bread and butter has been defense, much like Thomas’s.

Fast forward to signing with Phoenix, and head coach Nate Tibbetts has a different vision. With an NBA background, he brought in unique spacing concepts, more off-ball movement, cutting, and things that the All-WNBA guard was famous for.

One of the biggest questions was the defense and in 2025, the Mercury had a legitimate defense. One season later, and that same juice seems to run dry but the accountability could answer to the defensive question.

“It starts with the coaches. That’s on them. They’re the ones that tell us what to do, and when they’re holding us accountable, it makes my job easier to hold people accountable as well,” she said on ensuring accountability.

“I think it works hand in hand, and like I said, it’s got to be a will to want to guard. And at some point, you’ve got to be frustrated with yourself for getting scored on time and time again.”

Alyssa Thomas to @DylanKaneSports about ensuring accountability and not letting frustration boil over.

"It starts with the coaches. That's on them. They're the ones that tell us what to do, and when they're holding us accountable, it makes my job easier to hold people… pic.twitter.com/KDS0olZ58e

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) June 15, 2026

Nate Tibbetts agrees with Alyssa Thomas’s point

During their time together, both Thomas and Tibbetts have been connected. Whenever she’s brought up a flaw, he’s been quick to address it.

He mentioned throughout 2025 that she’s been the main proponent of leading by example. In 2026, it’s been the same. The ending result, however, is not so much.

The struggles seem to be an amalgamation of things, but it hasn’t phased Tibbetts on his approach to accountability.

“I think as a coach, there’s always a balance,” he said. “Accountability, to me, is doing things right when they’re asked of you. You’re not going to be perfect, obviously, but we’ve got to be close to perfect than we’ve been, and we just got to keep competing.

“I think that’s an area, and the accountability that we can make a step in.”

Competing for a full 40 minutes is something that has to change, or the 4-11 record will continue to worsen, and the frustration will only continue to fester.

The post What Alyssa Thomas believes the Mercury needs to change during dry spell appeared first on ClutchPoints.