The Phoenix Mercury definitely stands behind Alyssa Thomas amid the wave of backlash she received for her controversial fist-to-the-throat foul against Caitlin Clark. After the league imposed a one-game suspension on the forward, head coach Nate Tibbetts came out to reiterate the franchise’s support for her. Joining in the chorus were Mercury fans, whose applause for Thomas’ return seemed a decibel or two higher than usual at the Phoenix Arena yesterday.

As per a video shared by Phoenix Mercury reporter Dylan Kane, fans rallied behind their veteran star. The controversial incident seems to have only fueled the support for Thomas, as the ovation was reportedly “louder-than-usual” once she was announced in the starting lineup against the Seattle Storm on Thursday.

Before the game, Thomas addressed the foul in an interview and acknowledged the support she had received through the situation. The forward received widespread ire for her defensive efforts against the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. During the game on June 24, both players tussled for a loose ball before Thomas’ fist made contact with Clark’s throat.

While officials didn’t deem the sequence a flagrant foul at the time, the WNBA reviewed it afterwards and upgraded it to a Flagrant Foul 2. Consequently, Thomas was suspended for one game. The suspension was followed by an onslaught of criticism online, including alleged death threats, which were brought to attention. Despite the vitriol, Thomas has vowed to remain aggressive and sought strength from the franchise and its fans.

“I’m just super happy to be a part of this franchise and how they’ve supported me through this whole thing and had my back,” she said in the interview where she originally addressed the issue.

The forward also noted the difficulty in watching the Toronto game from the stands. Despite her absence, the Phoenix Mercury secured a hard-fought win thanks to Kahleah Copper’s 27-point haul.

Her return game against the Seattle Storm also ended in a win, and a commanding 90-67 one at that. Thomas played a strong part in the victory, contributing nine points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals.

With the victory, the Mercury have now won three games in a row during an overall dismal campaign. They have won just five of their previous 18 games, contending with an 8-13 record and 12th in the Western Conference.

Yet while Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury are pushing to move on from the fiasco, fans aren’t too kind to the WNBA upper brass.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Booed Amidst Thomas-Clark Controversy

Backlash has flown in several directions since Alyssa Thomas’ uncalled foul against Caitlin Clark. Thomas got quite an unhealthy dose of it, as did the league officiating. But perhaps one direction every finger seems to be pointing is WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

The intense backlash, especially from fans, appeared to take vocal expression on Tuesday at Barclays Center. Cathy Engelbert met with quite a hostile reaction from fans when she took center stage to present the New York Liberty with the Commissioner’s Cup championship trophy. They booed her relentlessly as she took up the microphone to address the crowd.

Although Engelbert had released a statement addressing the threats against Alyssa Thomas, many fans apparently did not deem it sufficient. And Engelbert, on her own part, did not really address it, or even the original incident, on that stage. 

The pro-Thomas faction battered her for issuing a suspension and not reaching out quickly amid the backlash and threats Thomas claimed she received. Fans of Clark, on the other hand, blamed her for allowing what now seems to be occasional aggressive and excessive contact toward the point guard without any punitive action. Some analysts have even outright said the WNBA has a leadership problem with Engelbert at the helm.

With the foul controversy dragging Thomas, Engelbert, and Clark herself into the storm, it remains to be seen whether the WNBA will introduce a longstanding change to alleviate fans’ criticism. Regardless, Mercury fans remain steadfast in their loyalties.