Thomas Suspended Over Clark Hit

Alyssa Thomas is suspended one game after a throat hit to Caitlin Clark.

WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas for hitting Caitlin Clark in the throat

Caitlin Clark Is Carrying the WNBA, and the League Keeps Letting Her Get Hit

DISGUSTING! Phoenix Mercury Posts Cartoon Mocking Caitlin Clark Beatings After Their Player Was Caught on Film Fisting Clark in the Neck and Kneeing Her in the Groin – Clark Leaves Game with Back Injury * The Gateway Pundit * by Jim Hoft

Summary

Left & Center

A neutral summary of the key facts most outlets agree on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum.

The WNBA suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game and assessed a flagrant foul 2 after she made contact with her fist to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark’s throat during Wednesday night’s 111-109 Mercury win. The incident occurred with 6:52 left in the second quarter while Clark, Thomas and other players were on the floor scrambling for the ball. Officials did not call a foul during the game, but the league later ruled Thomas’ contact a “non-basketball act” and “recklessly” directed at Clark’s throat area. The decision added to scrutiny around how the league protects Clark, one of its biggest stars, after another high-profile physical incident.

The Coverage

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League Criticism

Commentators and opinion writers used the Thomas-Clark incident to argue that the WNBA is failing to protect the player who has dramatically expanded its audience and marketability. Some pieces framed the response through broader debates over officiating, media narratives, race and whether the league minimizes repeated physical play against Clark.

Mercury Meme Backlash

The Phoenix Mercury deleted a social media post that appeared to mock Caitlin Clark after the throat-contact incident, using a cartoon image and the caption “De-wanna piece of this?!?” Screenshots of the post circulated widely online and drew backlash because it came after Clark had been hit during the game.