Alyssa Thomas scores career-high 29 and the Mercury close on a 19-4 run to beat the Lynx 79-71

PHOENIX, AZ — Alyssa Thomas delivered a career-best performance on Wednesday night, scoring 29 points — including 12 in the fourth quarter — to lift the Phoenix Mercury to a 79-71 comeback win over the Minnesota Lynx.

Thomas, fresh off her 16th career triple-double on Monday, shot 14-of-24 from the field and added eight rebounds and five assists. Her previous career-high was 28 points. She played a crucial role in the final minutes, scoring 10 points during Phoenix’s game-ending 19-4 run. After the game was tied at 69 and 71, Thomas scored on consecutive possessions to give the Mercury a 75-71 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Her fiancée and former Connecticut Sun teammate, DeWanna Bonner, made her Phoenix return after signing as a free agent on Tuesday. Playing in her first game since June 10, Bonner contributed seven points and six rebounds in 26 minutes. Bonner previously spent 10 seasons with the Mercury, helping them to championships in 2009 and 2014.

Monique Akoa Makani added 13 points, and Sami Whitcomb — coming off a 36-point outing — scored 10 for Phoenix (14-6), which was again without starters Satou Sabally (right ankle) and Kahleah Copper (right hamstring).

Courtney Williams led the Lynx (17-3) with 21 points, followed by Napheesa Collier with 18 and Bridget Carleton with 10.

Minnesota held a 67-60 lead after Williams hit a tough, off-balance three with the shot clock expiring at the 5:45 mark. However, the Lynx managed just two field goals the rest of the way — both by Collier — as Phoenix closed strong.

Despite shooting just 1-of-16 from beyond the arc, the Mercury finished the game at 47% from the field and were perfect from the free-throw line, going 10-for-10.