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Alyssa Thomas continues to make WNBA history with back-to-back triple-doubles

In the span of one year, Alyssa Thomas has become the unquestionable WNBA triple-double queen.

The Connecticut Sun star already had the most triple-doubles in WNBA history with four entering Tuesday, despite not having a single one at this time last year. She was already one of three players to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season, alongside Candace Parker and Sabrina Ionescu. She was already the first person to ever record a triple-double in the WNBA Finals, doing so last year.

Thomas added to that legacy Tuesday with another triple-double in an 89-81 loss to the New York Liberty, giving her unprecedented back-to-back triple-doubles after accomplishing the feat Sunday. She also became the first player to post three triple-doubles in a season, and all of them came within a week's time.

She finished the game with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, plus four steals, one block and only one turnover.

It took 24 points from Breanna Stewart, a double-double from Jonquel Jones and nine assists from Courtney Vandersloot to get the win for the Liberty, who are starting to look like the super-team they were expected to be before the season.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JUNE 22: Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx in the first quarter at Target Center on June 22, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Sun defeated the Lynx 89-68. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
Alyssa Thomas is doing things the WNBA has never seen. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

In regards to Thomas, let's put it this way. Counting the playoffs, there have been 23 triple-doubles in the 25-year history of the WNBA. Thomas has posted the last seven, a figure that represents more than 30% of the total.

Add that to a level of defense that made her a Defensive Player of the Year finalist last season, and you have the arguable favorite for WNBA MVP this season.