Alyssa Thomas’ foul on Caitlin Clark on June 24 has sparked sharp criticism, with WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita weighing in on the controversial play before the league’s ruling was announced.

WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita, host of the Courtside Club podcast, reacted strongly to Thomas’ actions in the Fever-Mercury clash, which Phoenix won 111-109. She posted on X and discussed the same on her podcast the following day, June 25, responding to the league’s suspension and $1,000 fine.

“Alyssa Thomas deserved to be suspended for this,” DeMita wrote. She added that the WNBA acted quickly in response to Fever fans demanding accountability.

In the second quarter, with 6:52 left, Caitlin Clark went down in the paint after contacting Lexie Hull. Thomas and DeWanna Bonner pounced on the ball.

Thomas then struck Clark across the throat with her forearm and stepped over her. The WNBA reviewed the foul after the game and handed Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension.

This marked the first suspension in Thomas’ 13-year career, a rare punishment for the six-time All-Star. The league termed the act a “non-basketball play.”

How The WNBA Reviewed The Play Post-Game

The WNBA announced its decision via WNBA Communications on X, clarifying how a no-call was upgraded after review.

“Per WNBA rule, the League Office has the option, following its review of any game, to reclassify a Flagrant foul or to classify as Flagrant any foul not called as such during a game, and may impose a fine and/or suspension,” the statement read.

This rule allowed the league to impose discipline after the final buzzer.

DeMita also highlighted another second-quarter play, with 6:25 remaining, when Clark’s three-point attempt was closed out by Phoenix’s Valériane Ayayi. Clark landed on Ayayi’s foot and grabbed her back in pain.

“There was another play later on in the game, where it was a clear landing space foul,” DeMita said.

“It wasn’t upgraded to a Flagrant 1. You guys know how I feel about landing space fouls. I always am on the safe side when it comes to landing space, because that is something that you could get very injured off of.”

Unlike Thomas’ foul, this incident remained a no-call and was not reviewed by the league.

The Fever now look ahead to their next matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, June 27, at home. The suspension leaves Phoenix without Thomas, while Indiana hopes Clark can recover from the physical toll of the game.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Koushik Biswas