Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has revealed she received death threats and racial slurs following her one-game suspension for making contact with Caitlin Clark's throat during a game last week. Thomas also criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for failing to address player safety.
Thomas speaks out on threats
"It's unfortunate that it's come to this over basketball," Thomas told reporters on Tuesday. "A lot of us – myself included – didn't even know the play took place until after the game. Now we're being painted as thugs. There's death threats out on us. It's really unacceptable. It's something that needs to change in this league and I'm just really sick and tired of it."
The incident occurred in the second quarter of the Mercury's matchup against the Indiana Fever on Wednesday. Thomas struck Clark's throat with her fist, a play she described as a "complete accident." The WNBA later deemed it a non-basketball act and issued a flagrant foul 2 penalty, though no foul was called during the game.
League response and Engelbert's statement
Engelbert released a statement Tuesday night: "The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate. The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league's top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas' comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players."
Thomas, a six-time All-Star, said she learned of her suspension only 10 minutes before it was announced on social media. She emphasized that her concern extends beyond the penalty. "It's not even about the suspension," she said. "If that's what they felt was necessary in that moment, then so be it. But I think there's a lot of other plays that you can say the same about. The biggest thing is about our safety. We're so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again, we're having people threaten our lives. Leaking addresses out there. Putting crazy pictures that have nothing to do with basketball."
Racial abuse and calls for action
Thomas detailed the nature of the threats: "People are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff. There's a difference between trolling and there's a difference between hatred. The hatred that we're experiencing over a play that, honestly, was a complete accident, no one even knew it happened. It's just unfortunate. The league has to do better in this instance."
She also called out Engelbert directly: "We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy [Engelbert]. It's no surprise. You could see what's being said on social media. Yeah – it's unfortunate, but as usual, she remains silent. That's unfortunate when our lives are being threatened."
Thomas served her suspension on Saturday when the Mercury visited the Toronto Tempo. The Fever renewed their call for player safety in a statement on Thursday.
Previous tensions between teams
The two teams had played days before the Thomas-Clark incident, resulting in six technical fouls and one ejection. Clark received her fifth technical of the season in that game. The Fever petitioned the league to have it rescinded, but the WNBA confirmed the technical would stand. Fever coach Stephanie White expressed frustration: "It was egregious. The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it. You're coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that shit still happens? Absolutely unacceptable."
The Mercury and Fever are scheduled to play again on 9 July in Phoenix.
