Alyssa Thomas Reveals Death Threats Amid Sinister Turn in Caitlin Clark ‘Targeting’ Drama

Professional athletes still cling to the old-school notion that whatever happens on the court stays on the court. But in an era dominated by volatile voices on social media, that unwritten rule has completely evaporated. Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury are discovering this harsh reality in the aftermath of her recent dust up with Caitlin Clark.The controversy stems from a June 24 matchup in Indianapolis where the Mercury edged the Indiana Fever, 111-109. During a frantic second-quarter scramble for a loose ball, Miss Thomas pushed her fist directly into Ms. Clark’s throat. While game officials didn’t call a foul on the play, a subsequent league review resulted in Miss Thomas being retroactively assessed as a Flagrant 2 foul and a one-game suspension.The physical fallout was immediate. Ms. Clark later exited the game with a back injury, forcing her to miss last Saturday’s 111-87 Indiana victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Miss Thomas served her suspension on Saturday when the Mercury defeated the Toronto Tempo, 89-80.The off-court fallout has been more troubling. The WNBA announced on Tuesday it is taking action after Miss Thomas said she has received death threats due to the incident with Ms. Clark. “The biggest thing is about our safety,” Ms. Thomas said. “We’re so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again we’re having people threatening our lives, leaking addresses out there. Putting crazy pictures that have nothing to do with basketball.”Miss Thomas then criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert for initially being silent on the issue. “You can see what’s being said on social media, and as usual she remains silent,” Miss Thomas told reporters.Soon after Ms. Thomas’s press conference, Ms. Engelbert condemned online abuse. “The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate,” read a league statement. “The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority. We are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community. The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.”Miss Thomas, a six-time All-Star, said she and her teammates have been harassed on social media since the incident. The play has been the focal point of what the Indiana Fever claim has been a series of hard fouls against Ms. Clark. Fever teammate Sophie Cunninngham said during her podcast “Show Me Something” that opponents are “targeting” Ms. Clark and the refs “do nothing to protect her.”Ms. Clark is having a stellar season averaging 21.2 points and 8.2 assists. The Fever next play on Sunday against the Las Vegas Aces. The Mercury return Thursday night against the Seattle Storm.Miss Thomas still doesn’t understand why she was suspended and targeted by Fever fans. “The play in the game, being suspended, just the whole narrative that’s being painted out there, it’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball,” Miss Thomas said. “A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game, and now we’re being painted as thugs, and there’s death threats out on us. So, it’s really unacceptable. It is something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.”The Fever and their fanbase say they are sick of what they viewed as repeated hard fouls against Ms. Clark. Later in the game where Ms. Thomas’s fist wound up on Ms. Clark throat, Ms. Cunningham sent social media into a frenzy with an extended finger-pointing session at DeWanna Bonner, who joined the Fever to start the 2025 season, but was waived for personal reasons and signed with the Mercury. Misses. Bonner and Thomas are engaged.“They’re definitely targeting her, and the league and the refs do nothing to protect her,” Ms. Cunningham said of Ms. Clark. “Unfortunately, that type of shit happens every single game.”

Alyssa Thomas Reveals Death Threats Amid Sinister Turn in Caitlin Clark ‘Targeting’ Drama

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