Story perspectives

Alyssa Thomas Suspended, Fined After Contact with Clark

7/1/2026

Summary

Thomas Suspended After Incident

Alyssa Thomas was suspended after contacting Caitlin Clark’s throat in the Mercury’s June 24, 2026 win over Indiana Fever.
Thomas learned of the suspension ten minutes before it was posted online.
She reported death threats and slurs and criticized commissioner Cathy Engelbert for staying silent.
Engelbert said the league condemns hate, issued a Flagrant 2 foul, a $1,000 fine, and will have Thomas miss next game before she returns Thursday versus Seattle Storm.

Summary

Thomas Suspended

League classified Alyssa Thomas’s June 24 foul as a Flagrant 2, fined $1,000 and suspended her one game.
Fever head coach Stephanie White said missed the throat contact and thanked league for upgrading the foul.
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts criticized league for not contacting Phoenix organization and called lack of questioning disappointing.
White and Tibbetts serve on the WNBA referee task force and USA Basketball staff, advocating better officiating.

History

Historical Context

The 2004 NBA “Malice at the Palace”—where Ron Artest received an 86-game suspension after a fan-player fight—prompted Commissioner David Stern to tighten arena security and alcohol policies. The WNBA adopted similar rules after its own 2008 Sparks-Shock brawl at the same venue, establishing a zero-tolerance stance that now guides league discipline for players and staff.

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Thomas Suspended After Incident

Alyssa Thomas was suspended after contacting Caitlin Clark’s throat in the Mercury’s June 24, 2026 win over Indiana Fever.
Thomas learned of the suspension ten minutes before it was posted online.
She reported death threats and slurs and criticized commissioner Cathy Engelbert for staying silent.
Engelbert said the league condemns hate, issued a Flagrant 2 foul, a $1,000 fine, and will have Thomas miss next game before she returns Thursday versus Seattle Storm.

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