The Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas isn't holding back. In a fiery press conference on Tuesday, the WNBA star called out the league for failing to protect her and her teammates following a controversial incident that has spiraled into threats of violence.
Last Wednesday, Thomas was involved in a play that saw her make contact with the throat of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. The league reviewed the play and handed Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 and a one-game suspension, citing reckless contact. But Thomas says the fallout has gone far beyond basketball.
“I’m crazy, you know, the playing the game, being suspended, just the whole narrative that’s being painted out there,” Thomas said. “It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball. 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’s something that needs to change in this league.”
Thomas insists the contact with Clark was accidental. She noted that she didn't even realize what had happened until after the final buzzer. But the backlash has been swift and severe, with fans directing vitriol—and worse—at the Phoenix star. The situation has reignited a broader conversation about player safety and league accountability.
But Thomas didn't stop there. She took direct aim at WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, accusing her of remaining silent while players face real danger. “We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy,” Thomas said. “You can see what’s being said … As usual, she remains silent, and that’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.”
The call for Engelbert to speak up has been echoed by others around the league. Radio host Dan Patrick criticized the WNBA for not having a spokesperson available to address the controversy. “Just a note to the WNBA, have somebody available,” Patrick said. “You have to answer tough questions sometimes. And this is a time when you have to answer a tough question. But have somebody available. That’s all.”
Bill Simmons of The Ringer went even further, suggesting the league needs a competent commissioner as soon as possible. The criticism comes as the league faces mounting pressure to handle the situation with transparency and urgency.
Thomas also revealed that she learned about her suspension not from the league office, but from social media—just ten minutes before it went public. “I didn’t even know I was being suspended until 10 minutes before it was all over social media,” she said, highlighting a breakdown in communication that has left players feeling abandoned.
This isn't the first time the incident has sparked debate. Former WNBA star Lisa Leslie recently called on the league to do better, saying everyone has to step up after the Clark-Thomas altercation. And Chiney Ogwumike defended Thomas, suggesting Clark can embellish contact—a point that adds another layer to an already heated discussion.
As the WNBA navigates its growing popularity, this moment has exposed deep cracks in how the league handles conflict and protects its players. Thomas's plea is clear: the silence from the top is no longer acceptable. Whether the league responds remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking.
