Alyssa Thomas has always been the kind of player who makes her presence felt on the court. Whether it’s crashing the boards, orchestrating plays, or setting the defensive tone, she is the engine that keeps her team running. But when the Laces took the floor against Phantom BC on February 18, Thomas was nowhere to be seen. Her absence raised immediate questions, especially considering her role as one of the team’s most influential leaders.

As it turns out, the knee injury she suffered on January 23 has yet to fully heal—leaving both fans and teammates wondering when their captain will return. According to a recent post on X by Desert Wave Media, “Phoenix Mercury/Laces BC forward Alyssa Thomas is OUT (right leg) for the Laces tonight vs. Phantom and Phoenix Mercury/Rose BC wing Kahleah Copper (right leg) is OUT for Rose tonight vs. Vinyl.”

Although the Laces won the game 75-68 to improve to a 5-3 record, her absence was still a significant talking point. During their January 23 matchup against Phantom BC, Thomas exited in the fourth quarter after suffering a right knee injury, which she got while contesting a rebound with Rhyne Howard.

She was seen clutching her knee in visible pain before being helped off the court by a trainer. The league announced that she would be re-evaluated the following morning, but nearly a month later, she has yet to make her return.

Despite losing their captain in that game, the Laces (then 3-0) pushed through to secure an 83-79 victory over the Vinyl. “You really just want to win for her,” Laces guard Kate Martin, of the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries, said of Thomas. “I’ve seen people call her ‘the engine.’ When your engine goes down, you have to find ways to pick up the missing piece there.”

Thomas had recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds before exiting that night, while Kayla McBride stepped up to score the game-winning layup, finishing with 22 points. Tiffany Hayes led all scorers with 26. “Our captain went down, and we had to get the win for her,” Hayes said after the game.

Laces win without Thomas, but for how long? Star forward’s absence raises questions about the team’s future

This isn’t the first time Thomas has been sidelined due to injury. On August 31, 2024, she suffered a similar knee issue while playing for the Connecticut Sun against the Washington Mystics. That injury, too, took her off the court at a crucial time. Her absence in the February 18 game against Phantom BC was certainly felt, though the Laces managed to hold their own.

Kayla McBride delivered a standout performance with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Betnijah Laney-Hamilton added 23 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting. The Laces shot 46.6% from the field and made all nine of their free-throw attempts, sealing a hard-fought victory despite missing their leader.

Meanwhile, Phantom BC’s offense struggled to find its rhythm. Sabrina Ionescu put up 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but shot just 6-of-17 from the field. Satou Sabally chipped in 15 points, and Natasha Cloud had 13 with eight assists, but their combined efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Laces’ defense.

While the Laces have found ways to win in Thomas’ absence, her return will be crucial as they look to maintain momentum for the rest of the season. However, there has been no official update (except for Coach Andrew Wade expressing optimism about her condition).

For now, the Laces must continue adjusting, filling in the gaps, and keeping their engine running without their most reliable driver. The question remains: how long can they keep winning without her?