WNBA suspends Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game after flagrant foul on Indiana Fever guard
Alyssa Thomas received a one-game suspension and a Flagrant Foul 2 for contact with Caitlin Clark's throat, while Clark left the game with a back injury.
The WNBA announced Thursday that Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas will miss Saturday's game against the Toronto team and has been assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area" of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. The incident occurred midway through the second quarter of Wednesday's 111-109 Fever victory, when Clark was on the floor after a missed shot and Thomas appeared to push down on her throat as she rose.
Clark, who finished with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes, left the game in the second half after sustaining a back injury. Thomas was not penalized on the court at the time, and the play was not reviewed by officials. Fever coach Stephanie White said she raised the issue at halftime and was told officials had not seen it.
"No. 1, you gotta call it. It's absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful. And then No. 2, you're coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that s*** still happens? Absolutely unacceptable."
Thomas completed the game with 24 points, four rebounds and eight assists in just under 38 minutes. The suspension will be served in the upcoming Saturday matchup.
Fever team president Kelly Krauskopf issued a statement supporting the league's decision, emphasizing player safety.
"Player safety should be paramount in our league. We appreciate the WNBA’s review of last night’s incident and the action taken. Right now, our focus is on Caitlin and our entire team as we prepare for Saturday."
The two teams will meet once more on July 9 in Phoenix for the regular-season finale. Earlier in the week, tensions had risen after a verbal altercation between Clark and former teammate DeWanna Bonner in Indiana's previous win, which resulted in multiple technical fouls, including five assigned to Clark. The league confirmed that Clark's technical foul will not be rescinded, leaving her three technicals away from an automatic suspension under league rules.