Video shows Alyssa Thomas punch Caitlin Clark in throat, WNBA suspends her after no foul was called

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has been suspended for one game after the WNBA reviewed video showing her making contact with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark's throat during Wednesday, June 24, night's game, an incident that did not result in a foul when it occurred.

The league announced Thursday that Thomas had been assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 for what it described as a "non-basketball act." The ruling followed postgame criticism from Indiana head coach Stephanie White over the officiating.

WNBA upgrades missed play after review, suspends Thomas

The incident occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter of Phoenix's 111-109 victory over Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Clark drove toward the basket before ending up on the floor during a scramble for a loose ball, where video showed Thomas making contact with Clark's neck and throat area with her fist. The game continued without a foul being called.

Following its postgame review, however, the WNBA announced that Thomas had been assessed a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 and suspended for one game. "The WNBA determined that Alyssa Thomas recklessly made contact with her fist to the throat area of Caitlin Clark and deemed the play a non-basketball act," the league said.

The WNBA also cited its authority to revisit officiating decisions after games. "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," the league said.

Thomas will serve the suspension when the Mercury hosts the Toronto Tempo on June 27.

While the decision does not alter Phoenix's 111-109 victory, it marks a significant reversal from the officiating during the game, with the league determining disciplinary action was warranted after reviewing the footage.

White criticizes officiating as Fever welcome league's decision

The suspension came after Fever head coach Stephanie White sharply criticized the officiating following a defeat, arguing Clark had been subjected to unnecessary contact that officials failed to penalize.

"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.

Referring specifically to the Thomas incident, White added, "The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it," describing the decision as "absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful."

Clark remained in the game after the throat contact but was later involved in another incident when she landed awkwardly following a foul by Phoenix's Valeriane Ayayi while attempting a three-pointer. Officials reviewed that play but declined to upgrade it to a flagrant foul. 

Following the league's announcement, Indiana Fever President Kelly Krauskopf welcomed the disciplinary action."Player safety should be paramount in our league," Krauskopf said in a statement. "We appreciate the WNBA's review of last night's incident and the action taken. Right now, our focus is on Caitlin and our entire team as we prepare for Saturday."