INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 24: Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball during the game against the Indiana Fever on June 24, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

Mercury's Thomas assessed flagrant 2, suspended 1 game for hitting Clark

A.J. Mast / National Basketball Association / Getty

Phoenix Mercury veteran Alyssa Thomas has been assessed a flagrant-2 foul for "recklessly making contact" with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during the Mercury's win Wednesday, the WNBA announced Thursday.

The flagrant 2 means Thomas is automatically suspended for the Mercury's game Saturday against the Toronto Tempo.

Thomas' fist appeared to slide off Clark's shoulder and into her neck as the two fought for a loose ball in the paint with 6:52 left in the second quarter. The referees didn't whistle for a foul in the moment, as play continued with the Mercury running in transition.

Missed this earlier because I’m siting high up. But #Mercury star Alyssa Thomas pushing down on #Fever star Caitlin Clark’s neck is something the officials should have reviewed.

(To clarify, from my now *deleted* tweet, I’m not sure if this is related to CC’s back, but still.) pic.twitter.com/MMVZttFlSU
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 25, 2026

Fever head coach Stephanie White tore into the officials postgame for the no-call, deeming it "egregious and utterly disrespectful."

Thomas played 38 minutes in the win, finishing with 24 points and eight assists but also six turnovers.

Clark remained in the game after the incident but then left in the third quarter with a back issue. She recorded 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes.