According to an announcement Thursday from the WNBA, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has been knocked with a one-game suspension and flagrant foul 2 penalty after “recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area” of Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark.
The scene, with the WNBA branding Thomas‘ antics as “a non-basketball act,” took place in the second quarter with 6:52 left on the clock during Wednesday’s game between the Mercury and Fever. Phoenix won, 111-109.
Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas Receives Flagrant Foul 2 Penalty and a One-Game Suspension pic.twitter.com/VnDF8M3SXQ
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) June 25, 2026
Following Clark driving to the lane, she fell on her side after she made contact with Mercury guard Lexi Held. Scrambling for the ball, Thomas, Held and Phoenix forward DeWanna Bonner tumbled on Clark. While going for the recovery, Thomas seemingly punched Clark in the throat, which was followed by Thomas getting up and then stepping over Clark.
Caitlin Clark got punched in the throat & stepped on by Alyssa Thomas.
No foul, of course 🙄 pic.twitter.com/peBy5K3kfi
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) June 25, 2026
Referees didn’t call a foul during or after the play, per ESPN.
Stephanie White, the head coach of Indiana, spoke with the media and said officials claimed they didn’t witness the acts from Thomas. (RELATED: Man Charged With Stalking, Threatening Fever’s Sophie Cunningham)
“It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful,” said White.
With that being said, according to league rules, the WNBA office has the ability to change the classification of a flagrant foul or to upgrade a call that wasn’t flagged by referees after a game review. The league office is also allowed to suspend or fine players if it feels necessary.