The WNBA retroactively issued a one-game suspension to Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas following a physical altercation involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The suspension came after league officials reviewed footage and determined Thomas made reckless contact with her fist to Clark's throat area.
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The play was not called by referees during the game.
Coaches and Players React
Fever head coach Stephanie White criticized the officiating, saying, "We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren't called."
White added, "These are things that we can't miss in real time. We've got to be better."
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts expressed disappointment in the suspension process, alleging the league did not conduct a thorough investigation.
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"This was not a thorough investigation in my opinion," Tibbetts said. He also emphasized that safety standards should be applied uniformly regardless of player status.
Mercury guard Kahleah Copper defended Thomas, saying, "We just wish it would have been handled the right way."
Guard Lexi Held added that the team wanted to counter inaccurate media narratives about Thomas.
Fever guard Sophie Cunningham discussed the targeting of Clark on a podcast, stating, "They're definitely targeting her and the league and the refs do nothing to protect her."
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Cunningham also criticized the WNBA's marketing, saying the league should promote players like Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aaliyah Boston more.
