Mercury squander early lead in Fever loss, Alyssa Thomas makes WNBA history with 500th assist

Alyssa Thomas made WNBA history on Monday, but it was overshadowed by the Phoenix Mercury's 86-77 loss to the Indiana Fever.

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jun 22, 2026, 8:59 PM Updated: Jun 23, 2026, 11:58 am

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 22: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket against Lexi Held #10 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Alyssa Thomas made WNBA history on Monday, but it was overshadowed by the Phoenix Mercury’s 86-77 loss to the Indiana Fever in which they squandered a 13-point lead after the first quarter.

The Fever scored just six points in the first quarter, tied for its fewest in any quarter since 2018 and its fewest in the first since 2016. Indiana responded with a 35-point second quarter — the second most they’ve scored in a quarter this season — to tie the game 41-all at the break.

Caitlin Clark scored 15 of her 24 points in the second quarter. The Indiana phenom added nine assists and Kelsey Mitchell scored 22 points in a comeback win.

Thomas reached 500 career assists with Phoenix in her second season, edging Clark as the fastest WNBA player (66 games) to hit the milestone number with a franchise.

The six-time All-Star also moved to 13th all-time on the WNBA career steals leaderboard (581).

Thomas had 19 points, five rebounds and nine assists in the loss, as Kahleah Copper added 20 points for Phoenix (5-12).

The Fever outscored the Mercury 30-11 in the third and held off a late charge in a chippy fourth that saw six technical fouls handed out between the two teams. Myisha Hines-Allen was ejected after picking up her second technical foul.

Clark and Mitchell made 16 of Indiana’s 27 field goals, including six 3-pointers.

Monique Billings finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the year for Indiana (10-7), which snapped a two-game skid. Aliyah Boston was held to eight points on 2-of-9 shooting. Clark has the most consecutive 20-point, five-assist games in WNBA history with six.