Mercury Stay Focused While Storm Rises Over Noise

The Phoenix Mercury team faced a tough week. A suspension of star player Alyssa Thomas and the online backlash that followed could have pulled their attention away from the game. Yet, the group stayed tight inside the locker room. Monique Akoa Makani said that the coaching staff and team leaders keep everyone focused. “You need to pull strength from each other, ” she explained, adding that the room holds all the tools they need to move forward. Her message was shared by a Mercury beat writer on X. Head coach Nate Tibbetts defended the franchise’s support for Thomas. He disagreed with a criticism from the Fever’s coach that called the suspension a cheap shot and also challenged the league for acting before a full investigation. Thomas herself said the incident was accidental, but she later received death threats and felt the WNBA was silent about her safety.

The controversy is still discussed, but it seems to be cooling. Thomas has already served a one‑game suspension against the Toronto Tempo. Her next appearance will be in a game against the Seattle Storm, where she plans to keep her aggressive style. She thanked the Mercury for standing by her. “I’m proud of this franchise and how they backed me, ” she said after the game, noting that the team’s win helped ease the pressure. Thomas vows not to change her play; she will keep attacking with confidence. With a 7‑13 record, the Mercury need to keep winning. How they handle the Storm matchup will show where the team truly stands, beyond last week’s drama.

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