The WNBA has suspended Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas for one game after reviewing an uncalled play involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during Wednesday night’s matchup.
According to Fox News, the league announced Thursday that Thomas received a Flagrant Foul 2 and an automatic one-game suspension after determining she “recklessly” made contact with her fist to Clark’s throat during Phoenix’s 111-109 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The incident occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter. Clark drove toward the basket before falling to the floor as players scrambled for a loose ball. During the sequence, Thomas appeared to strike Clark in the neck and throat area while attempting to get up.
Officials did not call a foul during live action.
Following its review, the WNBA ruled the contact was a non-basketball play. League rules allow the office to review games after they conclude, upgrade or assign flagrant fouls that were missed during competition, and issue fines or suspensions when appropriate.
Thomas will serve the suspension on Friday when the Mercury travels to face the Toronto Tempo.
The decision came less than a day after Indiana head coach Stephanie White publicly criticized the officiating, arguing Clark was subjected to unnecessary contact that went unpunished.
“We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called,” White said after the game.
White also described the missed foul involving Thomas as “absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful.”
The Fever coach also questioned another second-quarter play in which Clark landed awkwardly after being fouled by Valeriane Ayayi while attempting a three-pointer. Officials reviewed that play but declined to upgrade it to a flagrant foul.
Clark grabbed her back after the fall and later exited the game without returning. She finished with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes before leaving with the injury.
The WNBA’s ruling does not alter the outcome of Wednesday’s contest, which Phoenix won by two points. It does, however, acknowledge that officials missed a flagrant foul during the game.
The incident is likely to add to the ongoing discussion surrounding how Clark is officiated. While the league corrected the missed call after reviewing the video, the play has renewed attention on player safety and the consistency of officiating during games.