WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 game for hit to Caitlin Clark's throat
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- The WNBA suspended Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas for one game after she made fist contact with Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark’s throat during a game, an act classified as a Flagrant Foul 2 after league review despite no foul being called during the game.
- The incident occurred with 6:52 left in the second quarter and was deemed a non-basketball act; Thomas will serve her suspension in the Mercury’s upcoming game against the Toronto Tempo.
- Fever coach Stephanie White condemned the no-call during the game, emphasizing the egregious nature of the act and the need for officials to address such behavior promptly.
- This is not the first time the WNBA has upgraded fouls post-game, with similar precedents including a Flagrant 2 upgrade against Marina Mabrey last season; the league has the authority to review and reclassify fouls after games.
- Caitlin Clark, who left the game in the third quarter due to a back issue sustained earlier, finished with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes despite the physical play and previous technical fouls in recent games.
