--- title: "WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 game for throat strike on Caitlin Clark" description: "The league deemed the hit a 'non-basketball act' and issued a Flagrant Foul 2 after reviewing Wednesday’s play." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/wnba-suspends-alyssa-thomas-1-game-for-hit-to-caitlin-clark-f154cc38 published: 2026-06-30T10:08:54.839+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T10:08:54.839+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 game for throat strike on Caitlin Clark > The league deemed the hit a 'non-basketball act' and issued a Flagrant Foul 2 after reviewing Wednesday’s play. The WNBA suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game after she struck Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark in the throat during Wednesday’s game. The incident occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter and was not called as a foul during live action. The league reviewed the play and upgraded it to a Flagrant Foul 2, triggering an automatic one-game suspension. Thomas will miss the Mercury’s next contest, scheduled against the Toronto Tempos. The play drew immediate scrutiny due to its severity and the high-profile nature of both players. Clark, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year and a marquee offensive talent, was unavailable for postgame comments. The league’s swift review and penalty underscore its stance on player safety, even when officials miss dangerous actions in real time. WNBA chief of operations Ron Rothstein confirmed the suspension in a statement, emphasizing that the league takes intentional or reckless acts seriously. ‘Player safety is our top priority,’ Rothstein said. ‘We will always act when we identify plays that cross the line.’ The decision signals a shift toward zero tolerance for dangerous play. While the WNBA has rarely resorted to a Flagrant Foul 2, the league’s willingness to retroactively apply the penalty demonstrates a proactive approach to player protection, aligning with recent moves in other professional sports to curb reckless conduct. For the Mercury, Thomas’s absence removes a primary scoring option and rebounding presence, forcing coach Sandy Brondello to lean on bench depth against a Toronto Tempos squad that has been solid defensively. Meanwhile, Clark, already a headline magnet as Rookie of the Year, will likely see heightened media focus as the league’s response sets a precedent for future incidents. The Thomas suspension also arrives amid broader league discussions about officiating consistency and player safety. The WNBA has faced criticism in recent seasons for inconsistent foul calls and varying levels of enforcement on physical play, particularly in high-stakes matchups. By issuing a retroactive Flagrant Foul 2, the league appears to be addressing those concerns head-on, sending a message that even uncalled plays will be scrutinized and penalized if deemed dangerous. This incident could also reframe how teams approach defensive schemes against star players. Coaches may now factor in the heightened risk of retroactive penalties when designing game plans, potentially leading to more conservative defensive strategies to avoid unnecessary fouls. The league’s proactive stance may force a cultural shift in how physicality is policed across the WNBA. What’s next: Thomas’s suspension takes effect immediately, and the Mercury must adjust their rotation for the Tempos game. The league’s officiating department is expected to review its protocols for identifying and penalizing high-risk plays in real time. ## Why this matters The suspension sends a strong signal that the WNBA will not tolerate reckless or dangerous plays, even if they go uncalled during the game. It also highlights the league’s evolving approach to protecting star players amid rising physicality and media scrutiny. The decision could influence how teams and referees manage similar incidents moving forward, and may accelerate changes in defensive schemes across the league. By retroactively enforcing penalties, the WNBA is taking a firm stance on player safety while addressing criticisms of officiating inconsistency. ## Frequently asked ### Why was Alyssa Thomas suspended for only one game? The WNBA issued a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty, which automatically triggers a one-game suspension under league rules. The league deemed the hit intentional or reckless after reviewing the play. ### Was the hit on Caitlin Clark called as a foul during the game? No. The play was not flagged by officials during live action but was reviewed postgame and upgraded to a Flagrant Foul 2. ### How does this suspension affect the Phoenix Mercury? Thomas will miss the Mercury’s next game against the Toronto Tempos. The team will need to adjust its rotation and lineup for that contest. ### What is a Flagrant Foul 2 in the WNBA? A Flagrant Foul 2 is reserved for unnecessary or excessive contact that could cause injury. It results in an automatic one-game suspension and ejection if it occurs during a game. ### Will Caitlin Clark face any disciplinary action? There is no indication that Clark will be disciplined for the incident. The focus remains on Thomas’s actions and the league’s response. ### How often does the WNBA issue retroactive Flagrant Foul 2 penalties? Such penalties are rare. The league typically relies on real-time officiating, but this case reflects a growing willingness to review and penalize dangerous plays after the fact, aligning with broader safety initiatives. ## Sources & Citations - [WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas for hitting Caitlin Clark in the throat - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wnba-flagrant-foul-caitlin-clark-alyssa-thomas-hit/) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-25) - [WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 game for hit to Caitlin Clark’s throat - AP News](https://apnews.com/article/alyssa-thomas-caitlin-clark-suspension-3ffbce6a061e328ab9df17c31ced8300) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-25) - [WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas for 1 game over hit to Caitlin Clark's throat - PBS](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/wnba-suspends-alyssa-thomas-for-1-game-over-hit-to-caitlin-clarks-throat) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-26) --- Cite: WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas 1 game for throat strike on Caitlin Clark. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/wnba-suspends-alyssa-thomas-1-game-for-hit-to-caitlin-clark-f154cc38