Full Breakdown
Phoenix Mercury Social Media Post Sparks Backlash After Controversial Incident Involving Indiana Fever Star
6/27/2026, 1:53:14 PM
Incident Overview
On Wednesday night, the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111–109. During the game, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas struck Fever rookie Caitlin Clark in the throat; officials did not call a foul. Fever head coach Stephanie White blasted the officials, calling the non-call “egregious.” The league later imposed a one-game suspension on Thomas. Clark left the game with a back injury and will miss the Fever’s upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks. The Fever’s next game is scheduled for Sunday, July 5.
Social Media Post and Backlash
Following the game, the Mercury’s social-media account posted a stick-figure of DeWanna Bonner in her No. 24 jersey, ponytail and white headband lying on the ground, captioned “De-Wanna piece of this?!?” The illustration referenced Bonner’s layup through a foul in the second quarter, which she celebrated. The post was later deleted, but it drew significant backlash from fans across the league. One fan wrote, “Sick and disgusting. Someone should be fired or suspended.” Another said, “Remove them from the WNBA,” and a third added, “should be ashamed.”
Tensions Between Teams
The series between the Mercury and Fever has been described as particularly spicy. In game one, DeWanna Bonner and Fever forward Sophie Cunningham became involved in an altercation that produced five technical fouls. One technical was assessed to Caitlin Clark, who then slammed the referees after the Fever’s 86–77 victory. At another moment, Bonner and Clark had to be separated by a referee, an incident some observers linked to the later social-media post.
Data & Impact
The final score was Mercury 111, Fever 109. Thomas received a one-game suspension. Clark’s back injury will keep her out of the Fever’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks but she is expected to return for the July 5 contest. The series featured five technical fouls in game one, including one on Clark.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Officials did not call a foul on Thomas for the throat strike, yet the league imposed a one-game suspension. By contrast, Bonner was penalized for a foul on the same play that prompted the social-media illustration. Fans cite this uneven treatment as evidence of inconsistent officiating.
Verbatim Quotes
- “De-Wanna piece of this?!?” — Mercury social-media post
- “Sick and disgusting. Someone should be fired or suspended.” — Fan comment
- “Remove them from the WNBA,” — Fan comment
- “should be ashamed,” — Fan comment
