WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas for hitting Caitlin Clark's throat

The WNBA has suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game following an incident where she made contact with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark's throat. The league announced the suspension Thursday, one day after the game in which the hit occurred. The play happened with just under seven minutes left in the second quarter as both players scrambled for the ball. Thomas' fist made contact with Clark's throat. Notably, referees did not call a foul on the play, a decision that Fever coach Stephanie White later described as "egregious" and "absolutely unacceptable."

The WNBA's League Office reviewed the game footage and upgraded the infraction. The league determined that Thomas committed a "non-basketball act" by recklessly making contact with Clark's throat. Thomas is scheduled to serve her one-game suspension on June 27, when the Mercury host the Toronto Tempos. This marks not the first time the WNBA has reviewed and upgraded a foul involving Caitlin Clark. Last season, Marina Mabrey received a technical foul that was later upgraded to a Flagrant 2.

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The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it.

Clark herself was involved in another physical play later in the second quarter, falling to the ground after a 3-point shot and appearing to grab her back. This foul was not deemed flagrant. Clark, who has a history of back issues that have caused her to miss games, finished Wednesday's contest with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes. The Phoenix Mercury ultimately won the game 111-109. The teams had also played on Monday, a game that saw six technical fouls and one ejection, with Clark receiving her fifth technical foul of the season.

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The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it.