In the aftermath of the heated Indiana Fever-Phoenix Mercury game on Wednesday, the WNBA has handed out a one-game suspension to Alyssa Thomas for punching Caitlin Clark in the throat.
Alyssa Thomas Receives 1-Game Suspension for Punching Caitlin Clark
The incident occurred mid-way through the second quarter of the Fever-Mercury game on Wednesday. As Clark fell to the floor during a drive and scrambled to retain possession, Thomas appeared to make contact with her throat with a closed fist.
It is unclear whether Thomas intended any malice with her action, but the WNBA has decided to retroactively hand her a punishment. The league handed Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty for the incident, which means that she will be suspended for the Mercury’s next game against the Toronto Tempo on Saturday.
“Upon postgame review, the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas has received a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension for recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, it was announced today by the WNBA,” the WNBA said in a statement on Thursday.
“The incident, for which Thomas was deemed to have a committed a non-basketball act, occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter of the Mercury’s 111-109 win over the Fever last night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse,” they added.
Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas Receives Flagrant Foul 2 Penalty and a One-Game Suspension pic.twitter.com/VnDF8M3SXQ
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) June 25, 2026
This comes after Fever head coach Stephanie White called out the “egregious” officiating against Clark. She ripped the WNBA officials for failing to protect one of the league’s biggest superstars and called some of the calls “absolutely unacceptable.” Several fans and analysts were also angered by the officiating and physicality on Wednesday night.
Defenses across the WNBA have adopted an overtly physical approach to counter Clark, using a targeted strategy to disrupt her rhythm and prevent her from dominating.
Tempers also flared when the Fever and Mercury met on Monday, and there were six technical fouls and one ejection during a fourth-quarter altercation spurred by an incident between Clark and her former Fever teammate, DeWanna Bonner.
Clark ultimately had to check out after tweaking her back in the third quarter, and she exited with 19 points and 8 assists in 20 minutes. It remains to be seen whether the back issue will keep her sidelined for an extended period.
Despite the intense physical contact against her, Clark is averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game this season.
