While speaking to the media on Friday morning, Clark opened her lengthy five-minute statement by saying, "First of all, I know what you’re going to ask, and I did think it was a flagrant foul.Our reffing just needs to be better." Clark then gave the officials some grace stating that "it’s one of the hardest jobs in the world."The conversation about protecting players, specifically, has been a heavily debated topic and to that Clark said, "The league has to do better protecting our players."To the specific foul from Thomas, Clark made a definitive statement.
"I don’t think it was up for debate… You can go back and watch the clip.I think it was straight forward."LISA LESLIE SAYS WNBA OFFICIALS 'GOT TO DO BETTER' AFTER ALYSSA THOMAS SHOVED FIST INTO CAITLIN CLARK'S THROATPhoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas scrambles to get up over Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026.
The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111-109.(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)This response could be seen as a subtle jab at Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike.
Ogwumike claimed, "When narratives are created based off of a freeze-frame, that can create a huge problem.The league was reacting to the optics of that image." Tibbetts claimed something similar when he spoke to the media.
"The goal is to clean up our game, but I do think it’s important not to rely on social media screenshots.This is a slippery slope."Another aspect in the aftermath of Thomas’ flagrant foul and weak suspension in my opinion, was how Thomas has played the victim.
She has claimed death threats have been hurled her way, Fever head coach Stephanie White has denounced the "hate," and WNBA media has been crying nonstop with inflammatory claims that Fever/Clark fans are spewing racism and division.To this, Clark stated, "The harassment and the hate.None of that is ok."The WNBA’s biggest superstar ...