Alyssa Thomas Given Flagrant 2 Penalty For Fist to Throat Contact to Caitlin Clark
The league investigated and a decision has been made. During a scramble for the ball Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas appeared to push down on Caitlin Clark’s neck in the 2Q in Wednesday night’s game. Due these actions, the WNBA announced that Alyssa Thomas has been given a flagrant 2 penalty because of her fist to the throat contact to Caitlin Clark on Wednesday. Thomas will receive a one-game suspension, to be served on Saturday when the Mercury play the Tempo.
Clark would eventually leave the game completely (back) and not return, as officially announced by the team during the Fever/Mercury matchup. Caitlin looked to tweak her back when she was fouled in the second quarter. She checked out at 5:15 in the third, went back to the locker room, and didn’t return.
After the Mercury/Indiana matchup ended; Fever head coach Stephanie White blasted refs for “egregious” and “absolutely unacceptable” officiating. White particularly discussed the play where Thomas’ fist slid from CC’s shoulder to her throat, calling it absolutely “disrespectful.” White told the media,
“It was egregious, the fact that it was a no-call. I heard about it at halftime, I brought it to the attention of the officials … you gotta call it. It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful.
They were so egregious. I mean, a fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous.
We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots right there that weren’t called. I just say again, absolutely unacceptable.”
Alyssa Thomas Given Flagrant 2 Penalty For Fist to Throat Contact to Caitlin Clark
The Association also released a statement about the Clark and Thomas situation. Through the WNBA Communications page they wrote,
“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, it was announced today by the WNBA.
The incident, for which Thomas was deemed to have committed a non-basketball act, occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter of the Mercury’s 111-109 win over the Fever last night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Per WNBA rule, the League Office has the option, following its review of any game, to reclassify a Flagrant foul or to classify as Flagrant any foul not called as such during a game and may impose a fine and/or suspension.
Thomas will serve her suspension on June 27, when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo.”
Therefore, it looks as though the WNBA agreed with White’s sentiments. The league has chosen to take disciplinary action and measures. Furthermore, Caitlin Clark’s status remains unclear after the Fever star exited Wednesday night’s two-point loss to the Mercury with a back injury. The All-Star guard has been dealing with a back issue this season; but hopefully Clark will be able to heal, regroup and return to the court soon.
**Want Even More Sports, News, Hot Takes, Stats as well as Athlete Celebrity Sighting Updates, Insights as well as Trends? Well, be sure to join all of us Sports Feens over on Youtube to get an additional sports fix; and also don’t forget to check out all of our new Podcast topics and episodes. Plus, get fast highlights and trivia daily by following us on TikTok. Just Click HERE**
Thoughts on Alyssa Thomas Given Flagrant 2 Penalty For Fist to Throat Contact to Caitlin Clark? Well let’s connect then you Feen! We are always around on social media posting as well as chatting away. And we would love to hear some POV from you. Therefore, join the discussion and talk all things Sports Feen; athletics as well as breaking industry news related with us by dropping a comment or two. Get into our comment section on YT; or also hit us up on our TikTok page or tweet us @SportsFeen.
