*The WNBA has suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game after determining she “recklessly” made contact with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark‘s throat during Wednesday night’s game.
In announcing the discipline, the league said Thomas received a retroactive Flagrant Foul 2 following a postgame review of the play, which officials did not penalize during the game. The WNBA said Thomas was suspended for “recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area” of Clark.
The incident occurred during a scramble for a loose ball in the second quarter of Phoenix’s 111-109 victory over Indiana. Video of the play quickly spread across social media, prompting widespread debate among fans over whether the contact warranted an ejection.
League Reviews Missed Call
No foul was assessed to Thomas during the game.
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Following its review, however, the league upgraded the play to a Flagrant Foul 2 and issued the automatic one-game suspension.
The WNBA has the authority to review game footage after contests and impose discipline for actions officials either missed or did not penalize appropriately during live play.
Stephanie White Sounds Off
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White did not hide her frustration after the game.
“We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called,” White told reporters.
“The fact that it was a no-call… You got to call it,” she added, calling the missed officiating “absolutely unacceptable.”
White’s comments have reignited an ongoing discussion about whether Clark, one of the league’s biggest attractions, receives enough protection from officials amid increasingly physical play.
Fans Continue to Debate Physical Play
The suspension immediately fueled another round of debate across social media, with many fans arguing the punishment was appropriate while others believed either harsher discipline—or no suspension at all—was warranted.
The controversy also came as Clark was ruled out of Indiana’s next game because of a back injury sustained during the matchup with Phoenix, although the team has not said the injury was directly caused by the contact involving Thomas.
Thomas will serve the suspension during Phoenix’s next game, while the WNBA’s decision is likely to keep the spotlight on officiating standards and player safety as the season continues.
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