Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury has been suspended for one game by the WNBA following a flagrant foul on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. The incident occurred during a game on Wednesday night when Thomas made contact with Clark’s throat. The league announced the suspension on Thursday, stating that Thomas will serve it on June 27 when the Mercury play the Toronto Tempos at home.
The contact happened with 6 minutes and 52 seconds remaining in the second quarter of the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Thomas’s fist connected with Clark’s throat as both players were vying for the ball. Initially, no foul was called by the referees on the court, a decision that drew strong criticism from Fever coach Stephanie White after the game.
League Review and Coach’s Reaction
Stephanie White described the lack of a call in the moment as “egregious” and “absolutely unacceptable.” She emphasized that a foul should have been called, expressing her frustration with the officiating. The WNBA’s League Office has the authority to review any game and can assign or reclassify fouls as flagrant if deemed necessary. In this instance, the league’s review concluded that Thomas’s action constituted a “non-basketball act” due to the reckless contact with Clark’s throat.
This is not the first time the league has upgraded a foul involving Caitlin Clark. Last season, Marina Mabrey, then playing for the Connecticut Sun, received a technical foul against Indiana, which was later upgraded to a Flagrant 2 by the league. The repeated targeting of Clark has become a point of contention among fans and commentators.
Coach White did not hold back in her post-game comments, stating that it was “absolutely disrespectful” to have a “generational talent and a WNBA superstar” subjected to what she called “two cheap shots” that went uncalled. She added that the “fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous,” and suggested that Clark is not officiated in the same manner as other players.
The Fever coach’s strong remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny regarding the treatment of Caitlin Clark in the league. Some observers believe that Clark is being targeted by her peers, a sentiment that Fever fans have reportedly voiced for some time. The incident on Wednesday night, particularly the uncalled foul, has intensified this discussion.
During the same game, Clark was also fouled while attempting a 3-pointer later in the second quarter. She fell to the ground and was seen holding her back as she recovered. This particular foul was not upgraded to a flagrant. Clark eventually exited the game in the third quarter, having scored 19 points and recorded eight assists in 20 minutes of play. The Mercury ultimately won the game with a score of 111-109.
Clark’s Injury History and League Incidents
Caitlin Clark has a history of back issues, which included missing a game against the Portland Fire in May. According to reports, she was limited to 13 games due to lower-body issues. The recent contact to her throat and subsequent fall raised concerns, though it was not confirmed if the incident was directly related to her exiting the game with a back injury.
The game on Wednesday night was not the only contentious matchup between the Mercury and the Fever recently. The two teams also played on Monday night, a game that saw six technical fouls called and one player ejected. In that game, Clark received her fifth technical foul of the season. The Fever petitioned the league to have it rescinded, but the WNBA confirmed that the technical foul would stand.
The ongoing incidents involving Caitlin Clark have prompted reactions from various sports figures. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III commented on social media that Clark and all WNBA players “should be protected from this targeted behavior.” Similarly, former WNBA player and NFL reporter Stacey Dales noted that the night marked a “pivotal moment in Caitlin Clark’s season and career,” urging the league to take notice and adjust.
The suspension of Alyssa Thomas underscores the league’s stance on certain physical plays, especially those deemed to be outside the scope of basketball actions. The WNBA continues to review and address incidents to maintain fair play and player safety, with Thomas’s suspension set for June 27.
Source: cbsnews.com
