WNBA Suspends Alyssa Thomas One Game for Hit on Caitlin Clark as Injury Concerns Mount

WNBA Suspends Alyssa Thomas One Game for Hit on Caitlin Clark as Injury Concerns Mount

The WNBA has retroactively assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and handed a one-game suspension to Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas following a highly physical incident with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The league's disciplinary action has reignited intense debates surrounding player safety, officiating consistency, and the physical treatment of the league's marquee young star.

The Throat Hit and No-Call

During the second quarter of the matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Thomas made contact with her fist to Clark's throat while the two players scrambled for a loose ball. No foul was called by the referees on the court in the moment—a decision that Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White blasted as "egregious" and "absolutely unacceptable" after the game.

The WNBA League Office reviewed the footage on Thursday, June 25, 2026, and deemed Thomas' action a "non-basketball act" that "recklessly" made contact with the throat area of Clark. Thomas is scheduled to serve her one-game suspension on Saturday, June 27, when the Mercury host the Toronto Tempos.

Injury Concerns for Caitlin Clark

Adding to the controversy, Clark left the game during the third quarter due to a back injury. Prior to her exit, Clark had delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 19 points and recording 8 assists in just 20 minutes of play. The Mercury ultimately edged out the Fever in a tight 111-109 victory.

Clark, who has a history of back issues and missed a game in May 2026 because of them, is set to miss her second game of the season on Saturday as a result of the injury. The physical nature of the Mercury-Fever matchups has been a major talking point, with Monday's game between the two teams featuring six technical fouls and an ejection.

Quotes

From CBS News:

"The WNBA's review 'deemed (Thomas) to have committed a non-basketball act' by recklessly making contact with Clark's throat... Clark eventually left the game during the third quarter, after scoring 19 points and racking up eight assists in 20 minutes of play... Clark has a history of back issues¹, including missing a game against the Portland Fire in May because of it."

From Indiana Fever President Kelly Krauskopf:

"Player safety should be paramount in our league. We appreciate the WNBA's review of last night's incident and the action taken."