Caitlin Clark faced the Phoenix Mercury, determined to correct past mistakes. In their last game, the Fever had a season-worst 6 points in the first quarter. Today, Clark herself decided to push the team early with 13 points and 3 assists, including a couple of 30+ foot three-pointers. She was in her usual mood, chasing her 6th consecutive game with 20+ points. However, Clark stumbled into some physical plays from Alyssa Thomas and Co. and had to exit early. 

After that trademark first quarter where Clark took over the game, she entered the second looking to continue. But just over three minutes into the second, Clark drove to the rim but lost the handle. Now, she had three Mercury players competing for the loose ball. As Clark lost the ball in the skirmish, Alyssa Thomas had her hand on Clark’s neck, which was later noticed in the slow-motion replay. Not only that, Thomas further stepped over Clark, but the referees did not call a foul for this play. 

“Straight-up dirty play from AT here,” SI journalist Robin Lundberg wrote.

It’s important to note that the ball was well away from this interaction, which further gives a reason to call a foul. Thomas’ physical style of play has previously sparked similar debates. In 2024, Thomas elbowed Angel Reese to the neck while grabbing a rebound and was even ejected for that. 

In 2025, Thomas was called for a flagrant foul when she struck Kiki Iriafen in the throat before the two jockeyed for position while a free throw was going up. Additionally, she was also heavily criticized for her foul on Napheesa Collier in the 2025 playoffs that led to the season-ending ankle injury that she has still not recovered from. 

The play on Clark by Thomas could have been called a punching foul or even a flagrant foul. By definition, a flagrant foul is “unnecessary and/or excessive contact,” while a punching foul is “a punch by a player that makes contact.” 

To make matters worse, Clark exited in the third quarter with her persistent back issue.

However, it’s unconfirmed whether the Thomas incident led to her exit. However, many went on to call out Thomas. 

For instance, Fever beat reporter Scott Agness wrote: “Yes, I saw that. Dangerous and unnecessary. I’m sure the league will take a look. When I said composed, I meant tensions not carrying over from 48 hours ago. No technicals. Everyone was battling. The AT moment wasn’t good, nor was another risky close-out on Clark before that.”

Then, Lundberg weighed in: “The league cannot let this stand unpunished. There has been much discussion about physical play toward Clark in particular since she came into the league, but regardless of who was on the receiving end of Thomas’ dirty play, it is worthy of suspension, and that’s without ascribing intent. Anyone with eyes could see that what Thomas did to Clark was not a clean basketball play and was of the dirty variety.”