Who is Alyssa Thomas? WNBA star suspended for punching Caitlin Clark in the throat
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was suspended for one game after a video showed her punching rookie star Caitlin Clark in the throat during a loose‑ball scramble. The league classified the act as reckless and non‑basketball, noting that officials missed the incident in real time. The episode has intensified ongoing debates about player safety, gender, and race in the WNBA.
- ▪Alyssa Thomas received a one‑game suspension for a punch deemed a reckless, non‑basketball act.
- ▪The punch occurred during a loose‑ball scramble and was not seen by referees, but a slow‑motion clip went viral on social media.
- ▪The incident has reignited controversy over the physical treatment of Caitlin Clark and broader gender and race issues in the league.
- ▪Thomas previously said she might have pursued a career in boxing, MMA, or dentistry if she had not become a professional basketball player.
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Caitlin Clark Who is Alyssa Thomas? WNBA star suspended for punching Caitlin Clark in the throat The Phoenix Mercury forward received a one-game suspension for what the league deemed a 'reckless' and 'non-basketball act' By Jackson Thompson Fox News Published June 26, 2026 7:17pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Caitlin Clark hit in throat during WNBA loose-ball scramble, sparking backlash and game suspension WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark was hit in the throat during a loose-ball scramble, sparking outrage and a one-game suspension for Alyssa Thomas. Fox News' Garrett Tenney reports on the 'absolutely unacceptable' incident and the coach's reaction.
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