Alyssa Thomas Suspended for Hitting Caitlin Clark in Throat During Mercury's Win vs. Fever

The WNBA announced Thursday it has suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for one game and issued her a flagrant foul 2 for her actions during Wednesday's contest against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

According to the announcement, the suspension was "for recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark."

The WNBA called the play a "non-basketball act."

Thomas will serve the suspension during Saturday's game against the Toronto Tempo.

Phoenix ended up with the 111-109 victory, but the final score was far from the biggest headline.

Clark exited with a back injury and did not return to what was the second straight physical game between the two teams. The most notable play of the game happened before she exited, as Thomas appeared to press her fist against Clark's throat and step over her:

Indiana head coach Stephanie White was not happy with the play and let it be known after the game.

"The fact that it was a no-call," White told reporters. "… I brought it to the attention of the officials at halftime, yet we still had 11 fouls in the fourth quarter to their two? They still shot 24 free throws in the second half? … You got to call it. It's absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful. … absolutely unacceptable."

White also said Clark "is not called the same way everybody else is called" while adding, "we have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots in this game that weren't called. I can say it again, absolutely unacceptable."

The two teams also played Monday in a game that featured six technical fouls and an ejection. Wednesday's game had just one flagrant foul called, which was called on Aliyah Boston for hitting Kahleah Copper with her elbow.

Ultimately, the Mercury got the win Wednesday, but it was a costly one.

They will be without Thomas for Saturday's contest as they look to build some momentum following a disappointing 6-13 start. A matchup with the 8-9 Tempo figured to be a winnable one, but it will be much more difficult without the veteran double-double threat.

As for the Fever, they host the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday.