LAS VEGAS (AP) — Alyssa Thomas wouldn't make excuses for missing two late free throws in Phoenix's WNBA Finals-opening loss to Las Vegas on Friday night.
The Phoenix Mercury's leader had a chance to give her team the lead with 24 seconds left after an official review upheld a foul call on her drive to the basket. Thomas stepped calmly to the free-throw line with her team down 87-86, but missed both attempts as they clanged off the rim.
“It happens,” Thomas told The Associated Press.
The Mercury had one more chance at the end to tie it, but fell short, losing 89-86. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Sunday in Las Vegas.
“The series is not won or lost in the first game,” Thomas said. “So yeah, we would like to have that win but we have plenty more games to play.”
Kahleah Copper said that she wasn't concerned about Thomas and wouldn't need to say anything to her.
“Nah, she's good,” Copper said.
A few plays earlier, Thomas was grimacing and flexing her left hand. She said it was “fine” after the game. Coach Nate Tibbetts had said in his postgame press conference that he didn't know the extent of the injury.
Playing through injuries is nothing new for Thomas. She has a history of dealing with severe pain, having played through torn labrums in both shoulders that she suffered nearly a decade ago.
Despite the missed shots, Thomas had a strong game with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, falling just short of recording the third triple-double in WNBA Finals history. Thomas has the other two.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) battles Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray, right, for the ball during the second half in Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) and forward Alyssa Thomas talk during the second half in Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Las Vegas Aces, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
TORONTO (AP) — Schools were closed in Canada's largest city of Toronto and commuters faced severe delays on Thursday as heavy snow continued to hammer much of southern Ontario, blocking streets and forcing cars into ditches.
Environment Canada said regions including the Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener and Hamilton are expected to see up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow into Thursday afternoon.
Toronto, York, Peel and Halton Region schools closed Thursday morning, and institutions including the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and York University announced their campuses were closed.
Complete school closures due to snow are rare in Toronto.
Environment Canada said the Ottawa area will see up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) of snow, tapering off Thursday evening. It added that northerly wind gusts of up to 60 kilometers (37 milies) per hour will result in blowing snow and reduced visibility, and a sharp temperature drop will cause very cold wind chills.
Provincial police advised residents to stay off the roads if possible, and officers responded to dozens of collisions and cars in ditches. Police said there were multiple road closures across southern Ontario, including ramps at the Highway 403 near the Burlington and Hamilton border and parts of Highway 401 in eastern Ontario.
Both Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow cancelled public events Thursday due to the inclement weather.
At Toronto’s Pearson airport, officials said air traffic management procedures were in place and impacting some arriving and departing flights.
Travellers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport, where snow clearing operations were underway.
Pedestrians cross Bay Street along Front Street amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)
Pedestrians, obscured by snow thrown by workers cleaning a work site overhead, cross Adelaide Street along Yonge Street amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)
Pedestrians cross Adelaide Street along Yonge Street amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)
A cargo cyclist rides along Adelaide Street East amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)
Commuters make their way to their destinations on King Street East amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)
