Sports

WNBA Announces Punishment For Alyssa Thomas After Caitlin Clark Throat Punch

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Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark battle for ball WNBA

Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) knocks the ball away from Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the second half of an WNBA basketball game, Monday, May 20, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.


Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas is set to spend some time on the sidelines following a controversial punch to the throat of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark during a game between the two on Wednesday night.

The play occurred midway through the second quarter, when Clark stumbled while driving to the basket and was landed on by Thomas. Thomas, seemingly seeing an opportunity, then drove her first into Clark’s throat while attempting to stand up.

She was not assessed any sort of foul on the play, and Clark later left the game with what was described as a back injury by the Fever’s communications staff. Phoenix went on to win the game, 111-109, and Indiana head coach Steph White was furious afterward.

“Number one, you’ve got to call it. It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful,” White said after the game. “We have a generational talent and WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots [against her] right there that weren’t called. Absolutely unacceptable.”

“They were so egregious. I mean, a fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous.”

While Thomas was not dealt swift justice, the league has finally stepped in one day later.

WNBA Hands Alyssa Thomas A 1-Game Suspension For Caitlin Clark Throat Punch

On Thursday afternoon, the WNBA announced that it has reviewed the play and handed down a one-game suspension for Thomas.

“Upon postgame review, the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas has received a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension for recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark,” the statement reads.

Some would call “making contact with her fist” a “punch,” but hey, who’s counting?

Thomas, who is a future basketball Hall of Famer and a six-time WNBA All-Star, has a history of borderline dirty plays. She drew the ire of WNBA fans and Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs after a controversial play involving Lynx star Napheesa Collier that left Collier injured.

Thomas is set to serve her suspension on June 27 when the Mercury take on the Toronto Tempo.