INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White defended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas on Wednesday, condemning the online harassment of her former player.
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White talks with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, during the first half of a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever, 111-109. © Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Thomas was suspended one game after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul during the Mercury’s last game against the Fever, a play involving Indiana star Caitlin Clark. It quickly became one of the league’s biggest storylines before spreading beyond the WNBA. Thomas later said she was subjected to hateful messages online, including death threats.
Before taking questions at practice, White addressed the growing backlash directed at the Phoenix forward, calling the abuse “absolutely unacceptable” and urging those spreading hateful messages to stop calling themselves WNBA fans.
Jun 24, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots the ball while Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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“I think as a league, as a whole, there’s been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia, straight out nonsense, hate nonsense,” White said. “Most of this, in my heart of hearts, I believe, [is] not coming from WNBA fans, Indiana Fever fans. I believe that this is people who are using our league, using our players to further divisive agendas.”
White’s defense carried added weight because she coached Thomas for two seasons with the Connecticut Sun. Their coach-player relationship gave White a firsthand perspective on Thomas beyond what has been circulating on social media.
Rather than focus on the suspension or the play itself, White used the moment to address the broader issues of player safety and the increasingly toxic environment surrounding the WNBA.
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“We get to play a basketball game,” White said. “Yes, that’s going to come with criticism… But it’s not hard to not be a jerk.”
Phoenix Mercury Alyssa Thomas (25) talks to a teammate across the court during a game against the Seattle Storm at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on June 20, 2026. © Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As the WNBA continues to experience unprecedented attention, White said protecting players must remain a top priority. She emphasized the league has always been rooted in inclusion, competition and supporting one another, saying those values — not the online hate directed at Thomas over the past week — should define the WNBA.
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