Fever president stresses Caitlin Clark focus amid WNBA controversy

As Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark exited the contest against the Phoenix Mercury, which ended up being a 111-109 loss, there was an incident during the game that has social media ablaze. In what led to Fever head coach Stephanie White unleashing a tirade against the officiating crew was that Clark would get hit in the throat by Alyssa Thomas, leading to her suspension after further review.

Team president Kelly Krauskopf would release a statement after the WNBA issued the one-game suspension for Thomas, saying that the action taken by the league is appreciated, and the focus is on Clark and Indiana’s next game on Friday.

“Player safety should be paramount in our league,” Krauskopf said in a statement released via the team’s social media account on Thursday. “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.”

Stephanie White went off on the officials for not calling what she deemed two "cheap shots" on Caitlin Clark.

Clark exited in the second half because of back issues. pic.twitter.com/gj1Y1GfiOC

— espnW (@espnW) June 25, 2026

WNBA explains suspension change in incident with Fever’s Caitlin Clark

While the officiating crew didn’t assess Thomas with a foul, the WNBA went back to take a second look and found the action to be a “non-basketball act.” Thomas will serve her suspension in Phoenix’s June 27 contest against the Toronto Tempo.

“Upon postgame review, the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas has received a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension for recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, it was announced today by the WNBA,” the league said in a statement.

“The incident, for which Thomas was deemed to have committed a non-basketball act, occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter of the Mercury’s 111-109 win over the Fever last night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse,” the statement continued.

At any rate, it remains to be seen what Clark’s status is for the Fever’s next game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks, as she is dealing with a back issue.

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