WNBA Suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 Game for Flagrant 2 on Caitlin Clark
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 25
WNBA Suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 Game for Flagrant 2 on Caitlin Clark
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 25
Summary
Alyssa Thomas drew a Flagrant Foul 2 and a one-game suspension after the WNBA said she recklessly made fist contact with Caitlin Clark's throat during Phoenix's 111-109 win over Indiana.
The play came with 6:52 left in the second quarter as players scrambled for a loose ball; no foul was called then, but the league upgraded the non-call after review.
Stephanie White said officials told her they did not see the contact and called the sequence "egregious," adding Clark also took a later closeout from Valeriane Ayayi that was not upgraded in-game.
Clark left with 5:51 remaining in the third quarter because of a back issue, though White said it was unclear whether the injury stemmed from Thomas' play or the later landing on Ayayi's foot.
Thomas will serve the first suspension of her 13-year WNBA career on June 27 at Toronto, extending scrutiny of how the league officiates contact involving Clark.