Former WNBA All-Star calls for league review after controversial Alyssa Thomas play involving Caitlin Clark originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The physical play surrounding Caitlin Clark continues to dominate conversations around the WNBA, and Wednesday night’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury added another controversial moment to the growing debate.
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Clark exited the Fever’s 109-104 loss in the third quarter with a back injury after scoring 19 points and handing out eight assists in just 20 minutes. While the exact moment the injury occurred remains unclear, multiple plays involving Clark throughout the game drew attention, including one that has prompted calls for a league review.
Former WNBA All-Star Stacey Dales was among those who publicly criticized one sequence involving Mercury veteran Alyssa Thomas, arguing the play deserved closer scrutiny from the league office.
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Stacey Dales doesn’t hold back
During a loose-ball sequence in the first half, Thomas made contact with Clark after the Fever star went to the floor. Replays showed contact to Clark’s upper body as Thomas attempted to get back into the play. No foul was called on the sequence.
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After watching the replay, Dales took to social media with a blunt assessment.
“This is pathetic, not even loose ball worthy. League needs to review this. Completely uncalled for. And of course, they got what they wanted – Clark out for the game (back),” Dales wrote.
She followed with another post pointing to additional contact during the play.
“Watch the ball go in the opposite direction. And knee to the groin. This is a boxing ring apparently.”
The comments quickly fueled another round of debate online over the level of physicality Clark has faced throughout her WNBA career.
Stephanie White also questioned the officiating
Indiana head coach Stephanie White also voiced frustration after the game, although her comments centered on the officiating rather than assigning intent to Thomas. White revealed she spoke with officials at halftime after reviewing one of the first-half sequences.
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“It was egregious, the fact that it was a no-call,” White said after the game. “I heard about it at halftime, I brought it to the attention of the officials. You gotta call it. It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful.”
White also described the contact as “dangerous” during her postgame press conference, continuing her criticism of how Clark has been officiated.
Will the WNBA review the play?
The WNBA routinely reviews games after they conclude, particularly plays involving potential flagrant fouls or missed calls. As of Thursday morning, the league had not publicly announced any disciplinary action stemming from Wednesday’s contest. The game already resulted in one postgame discipline decision, as Fever forward Aliyah Boston was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul during the matchup.
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Whether the league determines additional action is warranted regarding the Thomas-Clark sequence remains to be seen. For now, the play has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing discussion about how Clark is defended and officiated, with both former players and the Fever organization calling for greater consistency from officials.
