WNBA gives Thomas 1-game suspension
The WNBA penalized Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas on June 25, 2026, after reviewing contact with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during Wednesday’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Phoenix beat Indiana 111-109 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The league assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and a 1-game suspension after no foul was called during live play in the second quarter.
WNBA review changed the call
WNBA officials did not call a foul during the second-quarter sequence involving Thomas and Clark. The league reviewed the play after Phoenix completed its road win over Indiana.
The league office can review games after final scores and classify missed plays as flagrant fouls. That authority also allows discipline when officials do not make the call during action.
Mercury won by 2
Phoenix Mercury beat Indiana Fever 111-109 on June 24, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after Clark left during the third quarter because of back issues before the close finish.
Both teams made 39 field goals on 66 attempts. Phoenix created more scoring from free throws and finished the game with 26 makes from the line compared with Indiana’s 18.
Thomas missed Toronto game
Alyssa Thomas had to serve the WNBA suspension on June 27, 2026, when the Phoenix Mercury visited the Toronto Tempo. The penalty applied to the team’s next scheduled game in Canada.
The 1-game penalty came 1 day after the Mercury’s win over Indiana. Phoenix entered the Toronto matchup without a 34-year-old, 6-time All-Star forward in her second Mercury season.
Clark left with back issue
Caitlin Clark exited the Mercury game with 5:15 left in the third quarter because of back issues. She did not return after leaving during Indiana’s home loss against Phoenix.
Indiana later ruled Clark out for its June 27 home game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Stephanie White said the Fever used the schedule break for treatment and recovery work.
Clark’s numbers stayed high
Caitlin Clark finished the June 24 game with 19 points and 8 assists in 20 minutes. She left in the third quarter, but her production still helped Indiana’s offense.
Through 17 games in the 2026 season, Clark averaged 21.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds. That scoring average marked a career high for the Fever guard.
Thomas produced across categories
Alyssa Thomas scored 24 points with 8 assists and 4 rebounds against Indiana. The Phoenix forward wore No. 25 and delivered one of the Mercury’s top scoring lines.
Thomas entered the discipline decision, averaging 14.7 points, 8.4 assists, and 6.6 rebounds through 18 games. Her season role combined scoring, passing, and rebounding for Phoenix.
Copper led Phoenix scoring
Kahleah Copper led Phoenix with 28 points against Indiana and made 15 of 16 free throws. Her late-game scoring helped the Mercury finish a narrow road win.
Phoenix finished 26 of 33 from the foul line, while Indiana went 18 of 19. That difference gave the Mercury 8 more made free throws in a 2-point result.
Indiana moved the ball
Indiana recorded 30 assists against Phoenix, while the Mercury had 21. The Fever also committed 16 turnovers, which limited a strong passing night despite the narrow loss.
Indiana made 13 of 27 attempts from three-point range and matched Phoenix at 59.1% field goal accuracy. Both teams finished with 39 made baskets on June 24.
Earlier game added tension
Indiana and Phoenix had played 2 nights earlier, and officials issued 6 technical fouls plus 1 ejection in that Monday matchup. Indiana won that game 86-77.
Caitlin Clark received her 5th technical foul of the season during Monday’s game, and the league later confirmed that the technical would stand. Clark scored 24 points.
White criticized the no call
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White criticized the missed call after the Mercury game. White said officials needed to address the second-quarter contact during the play in which Clark was on the floor.
Indiana also renewed a player safety statement after the WNBA reviewed the sequence and announced discipline for Thomas. Team president Kelly Krauskopf addressed safety in the June 25 statement.
Fever faced Los Angeles next
Indiana’s next listed game was a June 27, 2026, home matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark was later ruled out for that contest.
The Fever listed an 8 PM ET tipoff on CBS and Paramount+, with Indiana carrying a 10-8 record. The team had lost 3 of its previous 4 games.
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WNBA ruling set record
The WNBA’s June 25 ruling created the formal record for the incident. The decision changed the sequence from an uncalled play into a disciplinary matter involving Thomas.
The confirmed facts included a Flagrant Foul 2, a 1-game suspension, and Clark’s absence against Los Angeles. Thomas’s penalty applied on June 27 when Phoenix visited the Toronto Tempo.
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Do you think the WNBA’s 1-game suspension was enough after the Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas incident, or should missed calls face tougher review? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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