All articles tagged with #alyssa thomas
Adam Silver says Caitlin Clark has been unfairly turned into a political football and should be supported, sidestepping questions about his possible influence on Alyssa Thomas’s suspension. He notes officiating improvements are needed in both leagues and urges Clark to stay focused on playing her best after the June 24 on-court incident and subsequent reaction.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar criticized GOP lawmakers' letter that tagged Caitlin Clark as 'the face of the WNBA,' saying no single player should define a league and that the framing insults other great stars. He argued the controversy should not be racialized and urged Congress and the league to take online abuse of players seriously, noting that Alyssa Thomas and her family faced racist abuse and death threats online after the incident.
During a third-quarter sequence in the Fever–Mercury game, Lexie Hull suffered a bloodied nose after a right elbow from Alyssa Thomas; officials reviewed the contact and ruled it a defensive personal foul as Thomas was rising to shoot. Hull returned to the floor, and Thomas hit free throws to push the Mercury ahead, but Indiana stormed back with a late third-quarter surge and clinched a road win, while social media commentary focused on officiating and past controversies surrounding the players.
Alyssa Thomas scored 22 points to pace the Indiana Fever to a 92-89 comeback win over the Phoenix Mercury, with Thomas delivering a physical moment against Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham icing the game with late free throws as Caitlin Clark sat out a rest day. The Fever erased two 10-point deficits to beat Phoenix, continuing a heated, physical rivalry between the teams this season.
A group of Republican lawmakers led by Rep. August Pfluger sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding accountability after on-court violence against Caitlin Clark, warning of potential DOJ, Labor, or EEOC action if the league does not act; they asked how the league reviews violence, enforces rules, and protects players from harassment, in the wake of Alyssa Thomas's incident and ongoing debate over player safety.
A group of Republican lawmakers led by Rep. August Pfluger urged WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to protect Caitlin Clark from repeated hostile play and address safety concerns, praising Clark’s impact on the league while arguing the WNBA must ensure a safe, professional environment. They suggested possible investigations by the DOJ, Department of Labor, or EEOC if discrimination or retaliation create a hostile workplace. The letter references specific incidents, including hip-checks, eye pokes, and a throat strike, and comes amid ongoing scrutiny of officiating as the league rolls out reforms to improve consistency and safety.
Caitlin Clark addressed Alyssa Thomas’s one-game suspension for a flagrant foul, urging improved officiating and player safety, while condemning harassment toward players and asking fans to refocus on on-court play as Clark deals with a back injury ahead of Fever vs. Aces.
Caitlin Clark spoke publicly for the first time since the Alyssa Thomas incident, saying she believes the foul was flagrant and calling for better officiating and protection for players. She also denounced the harassment and threats directed at Thomas and others, urging the league, officials and media to do better. Clark noted she is out with a back injury and expects to return next week, while acknowledging the ongoing media focus on the incident has been a disservice to the league.
Caitlin Clark condemned online harassment after Alyssa Thomas revealed receiving threats following their on‑court incident; Clark will miss another Fever game due to a back injury, while Thomas faced a flagrant foul 2, a $1,000 fine, and a one‑game suspension amid online safety concerns.
Caitlin Clark broke a week-long silence on the Alyssa Thomas incident, saying the foul looked straight-forward and urging better refereeing and greater protection for players, while pushing back on the media framing of her season, addressing harassment she’s faced, and noting she’ll be sidelined for Sunday’s game as controversy continues.
Caitlin Clark told reporters the WNBA must do better after Alyssa Thomas’ flagrant-2 foul, calling for improved officiating, better investment in referees, and an end to online harassment. She emphasized she’s not a robot and criticized the persisting narratives around her and her Fever teammates, while noting the league should refocus on the game’s talent. Clark will sit out Sunday’s game with a back injury as the league reviews the incident and its coverage.
A former NBA orthopedic consultant warned that blows to Caitlin Clark’s throat could rapidly close her airway and become a life-or-death risk, amid ongoing controversy after she was punched in the throat by Alyssa Thomas and as she sits out with a back injury. The piece highlights a history of controversial contact, calls for better officiating to protect Clark, and mixed reactions from WNBA leadership and Clark’s team about safety and accountability.
After Alyssa Thomas’s one-game suspension for striking Caitlin Clark, she and Fever coach Stephanie White push back on online harassment and toxicity, demanding accountability from the league; WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert condemns hate and stresses safety, while White frames the issue as a broader push for inclusivity and better communication to protect players and help the sport grow.
After a controversial play between Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark, Thomas says players have received death threats and racial slurs; the WNBA condemned the abuse, Thomas served a suspension as the Mercury beat Toronto, Clark left the game with a back injury, and a rematch is scheduled for July 9.
The WNBA is under fire after Alyssa Thomas’s one-game suspension for a throat strike on Caitlin Clark, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert condemning hate while critics argue the league mishandled notification and accountability, revealing broader concerns about leadership and player safety in the league.