Caitlin Clark Defends Alyssa Thomas in Video After Fan Backlash, WNBA Suspension for Foul

Amid ongoing fan backlash and a one-game suspension for Alyssa Thomas for a flagrant-2 foul on Caitlin Clark last week, the Indiana Fever star issued her first public comments about the situation on Friday.

Speaking to reporters during a Fever shootaround, Clark defended Thomas against the harassment she has received while agreeing with the WNBA's decision that it was a flagrant foul.

The situation between Clark and Thomas occurred in the second quarter of Indiana's 111-109 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on June 24.

Clark lost control of the ball while dribbling to the basket. Thomas landed on top Clark and her fist made contact with the Fever guard's throat.

The refs didn't call a foul on the play, but the WNBA retroactively assessed Thomas with a flagrant-2 foul and suspended her for one game.

Thomas told reporters on Tuesday she received death threats and was being called racial slurs in the wake of the incident, while also criticizing the league for not doing more to protect players:

"People are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff. There's a difference between trolling and there's a difference between hatred. The hatred that we're experiencing over a play that, honestly, was a complete accident, no one even knew it happened. It's just unfortunate. The league has to do better in this instance."

Thomas served her suspension last Saturday against the Toronto Tempo.

Clark has not played since the third quarter against Phoenix due to a back injury. She will miss Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Aces, but his hopeful to return next week when the Fever have a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Sparks and Mercury on July 8-9.

The 24-year-old was voted a starter in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game that will be played on July 25 at the United Center in Chicago.