Mercury star suspended for Caitlin Clark 'cheap shots' in win vs Fever

The Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever game on June 24 didn't have the fiery altercations from the first of the two-game set, but Fever coach Stephanie White's postgame news conference provided the controversy — and Mercury star Alyssa Thomas is feeling the fallout Thursday, June 25.

White went off on the officials for not calling what she deemed two "cheap shots" on star Caitlin Clark from the Mercury during Phoenix's 111-109 win in Indianapolis.

The primary focus was on Thomas, whom the league has now assessed a Flagrant 2 for "recklessly making contact" against Clark, which carries a one-game suspension. The Mercury travel to Toronto for a matchup with the Tempo on June 27.

Thomas averages 14.7 points, 8.4 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game.

White called out the pattern of Clark being officiated differently from the rest of the WNBA.

"We have a generational talent and WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots (against her) right there that weren't called," White said. "Absolutely unacceptable."

White wasn't sure if the two plays in the second quarter caused Clark's exit with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter after tweaking her back. But White called them "egregious."

The first instance occurred with 6:52 left in the second when Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Lexi Held went for a loose ball on the court against Clark.

Thomas appeared to knee Clark in the groin multiple times while she was on the ground, even as the ball bounced out of their immediate area. Thomas then pressed her fist into Clark’s neck as she stepped over Clark.

Officials did not call a foul of any kind throughout the interaction and later told White that they didn't see what Thomas did.

"No. 1, you've got to call it. It's absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful," White said.

“The fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous,” White said. “When you have these things continue to happen time and time and time again, eventually it gets frustrating, but I thought those were just more egregious.”

Seconds later, Valeriane Ayayi closed out on Clark's 3-point attempt and Clark landed on Ayayi's foot. A foul was called and the play was reviewed, but it was not upgraded as a reckless closeout.

"(The referees) are coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago, and that (expletive) still happens," White said. "And the reckless closeout that they actually reviewed ... that wasn't upgraded.

"To me, that's like a do-over on a test; how do you screw it up again?"

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 or suspension. 

The two teams won't meet until July 9 in Phoenix.

(This story has been updated to add information.)

Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at[email protected], as well as@jennarortiz on X. 

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