The controversial play between Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas a week ago continues to dominate headlines. Following the punch that landed on the Indiana Fever superstar’s throat, the league handed a one-game suspension to the Phoenix Mercury forward.
On Tuesday, Thomas said that she received death threats due to the said incident and the suspension.
Advertisement
Days later, Clark broke her silence and addressed the viral play and the aftermath of the league’s decision to suspend Thomas.
Caitlin Clark Condemns Online Abuse of Alyssa Thomas After Controversial Suspension
Before the Fever’s practice on Friday, the two-time All-Star faced the media. Clark gave a clear stance when asked about the harassment that Thomas has been subjected to.
“As I’ve stood here and said before, the harassment, the hate, none of that is OK. That goes for (the) opposing team we play. That goes for my teammates. That goes for my coaches. There should never be a question of character. I’ve always stood up and said that and that’s truly what I believe. That’s how I was raised,” Clark said.
During Thomas’ chat with reporters on Tuesday, the Mercury forward expressed her disappointment with how the league handled the controversy and its aftermath on the players.
Advertisement
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert released a statement that the league “condemns any and all forms of hate.” She also called “unacceptable” what Thomas and other Mercury players experienced and vowed to “remain committed to protecting all players.”
Thomas also has an ally in Clark in criticizing the social media hate and the threats.
However, the superstar point guard took a hard stance on the WNBA’s decision to upgrade the play, which was a no-call during the game, into a Flagrant-2 foul that resulted in the suspension.
“I did think it was a flagrant foul, and our reffing just needs to be better. It’s tough. Obviously, the refs are in a really difficult spot. It’s one of the hardest jobs in the world, in my opinion… So, I think, for us, the league’s just got to do better protecting our players.”
Advertisement
Clark’s words were not so subtle shots at ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, who drew backlash after she said the narratives surrounding Thomas came from the “freeze frame” of the play and that “the league was reacting to the optics of that image.”
The superstar point guard’s response also pushed back against Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts, who told the reporters following the suspension, “not to rely on social media screenshots.”
The Fever and the Mercury played back-to-back, feisty and controversial games late last month. They will meet again in roughly a week, adding to the hype and anticipation, after Clark and Thomas give their statements.
