Mercury heating up as star Thomas contends for MVP

State of play: Phoenix put together a six-game win streak in June and now sits at 21-13, fourth in the league — and well positioned to make the playoffs.

• Mercury billboards in town ask, "Do we have your attention yet?"

Yes, but: Phoenix "seems to be in a bit of a slump" offensively, Sports Illustrated wrote Tuesday, while ESPN opined that the Mercury "could use a surge across the rest of August."

• NBC Sports was a little more optimistic, saying the Mercury have rebounded after "hitting a bit of a rough patch."
• The Mercury have won five of the past seven games, but struggled the prior month.

1 big star: Forward Alyssa Thomas, who came to Phoenix in an off-season trade, is one of the top contenders for the league's MVP Award.

• She leads the WNBA in assists (9 per game), and is tied for third in rebounds (8.6), averaging 16.1 points per game. Thomas also had triple-doubles in three consecutive games earlier this month, becoming the first WNBA player to accomplish the feat.
• She leads the league with five triple-doubles this season — the second time she's done so — and is the WNBA's all-time leader in the category by a wide margin.

Catch up quick: The Mercury look a lot different this season after seeing their two most recognizable stars depart.

• Diana Taurasi retired after an epic 20-year career in Phoenix, while Brittney Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream as a free agent.
• They traded Rebecca Allen, Natasha Cloud and Sophie Cunningham for All-Star forwards Thomas and Satou Sabally, who leads the team with 17.1 points per game.

What's next: Phoenix has 10 games left in the season and faces the Las Vegas Aces on the road Thursday.