Alyssa Thomas criticizes WNBA over lack of support after receiving threats
Yahoo Sports • 3 min read • Latest: Jun 30, 2026, 9:25 PM
Last updated Jun 30, 2026
Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury voiced her frustration with the WNBA and commissioner Cathy Engelbert after receiving death threats and online abuse following her suspension for an incident involving Caitlin Clark. Thomas claimed the incident was accidental and noted that neither she nor her teammates were aware of any foul at the time. Despite the WNBA suspending her for one game and imposing a fine, Thomas expressed concern over the league's silence on the threats players face off the court. She highlighted the need for the league to take a stronger stance on player safety beyond on-court actions. The Mercury currently hold a 7-13 record as they prepare for upcoming games against the Seattle Storm and a rematch with the Fever next month.
- •Alyssa Thomas received a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark.
- •Thomas described the incident as an 'accident' that went unrecognized during the game.
- •She called out the league for silence on the online abuse and threats she has faced.
- •The Mercury have a 7-13 record entering July games.
- •Thomas emphasized the need for the league to prioritize player safety beyond just on-court issues.
- 10:47 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA’s Alyssa Thomas receiving death threats after incident with Caitlin Clark
- 5:12 AMYahoo Sports — ’We’re Being Painted As Thugs’ — Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas Makes Alarming Admission After Caitlin Clark Incident
- 12:41 AMCBS Sports — Alyssa Thomas says she received death threats after Caitlin Clark incident, calls out WNBA commissioner
- 12:31 AMYahoo Sports — Alyssa Thomas calls out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after receiving online threats
- 11:31 PMYahoo Sports — Mercury's Alyssa Thomas calls for WNBA to protect all players after death threats
- 11:13 PMESPN — WNBA's Thomas got death threats over Clark tiff
- 10:15 PMThe Guardian Sport — Alyssa Thomas calls out WNBA after receiving death threats, racial abuse from Caitlin Clark foul incident
- 9:25 PMYahoo Sports — Alyssa Thomas calls out WNBA, Cathy Engelbert after receiving death threats and abuse following incident with Caitlin Clark
"Thomas blasts commissioner for silence on player safety Mercury star was suspended for hit to Clark’s throat Play was ‘complete accident’ and ‘unfortunate’, she says Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said she has received death threats and been called racial slurs in the aftermath of her one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat in last week’s matchup against Indiana. Thomas also criticized the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, for not doing more to protect players. Continue reading...
"Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas called out the WNBA for its failure to protect players in the fallout of her one-game suspension for committing a flagrant foul on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark last week. Thomas said she has been sent death threats, received threats against her family and was called racial slurs online in the days since the incident. She also said addresses have been leaked. “A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game, and no
"Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas stood inside her team’s practice facility on Tuesday and demanded accountability from the WNBA after receiving death threats and abuse. The online harassment came after a physical incident involving her and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark last Wednesday, a play that resulted in a one-game suspension for Thomas and ignited widespread debate.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 10:47 AMWNBA’s Alyssa Thomas receiving death threats after incident with Caitlin Clark
The fallout from the on-court incident involving WNBA stars Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark continues to grow, but the conversation has now shifted well beyond basketball. According to a report from Legion Hoops on X, Thomas has been receiving death…
- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 5:12 AM’We’re Being Painted As Thugs’ — Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas Makes Alarming Admission After Caitlin Clark Incident
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas stood inside her team’s practice facility on Tuesday and demanded accountability from the WNBA after receiving death threats and abuse. The online harassment came after a physical incident involving her and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark last Wednesday, a play that resulted in a one-game suspension for Thomas and ignited widespread debate.
- CBS SportsJul 1, 2026, 12:41 AMAlyssa Thomas says she received death threats after Caitlin Clark incident, calls out WNBA commissioner
The WNBA released a statement on Tuesday saying it 'vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate'
- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 12:31 AMAlyssa Thomas calls out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after receiving online threats
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas called out the WNBA for its failure to protect players in the fallout of her one-game suspension for committing a flagrant foul on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark last week. Thomas said she has been sent death threats, received threats against her family and was called racial slurs online in the days since the incident. She also said addresses have been leaked. “A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game, and no
- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 11:31 PMMercury's Alyssa Thomas calls for WNBA to protect all players after death threats
Alyssa Thomas is calling on the WNBA to protect all players after she received death threats following suspension for contact with Caitlin Clark.
- ESPNJun 30, 2026, 11:13 PMWNBA's Thomas got death threats over Clark tiff
Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas says she's received death threats and been called racial slurs following last week's in-game incident with Fever star Caitlin Clark.
- The Guardian SportJun 30, 2026, 10:15 PMAlyssa Thomas calls out WNBA after receiving death threats, racial abuse from Caitlin Clark foul incident
Thomas blasts commissioner for silence on player safety Mercury star was suspended for hit to Clark’s throat Play was ‘complete accident’ and ‘unfortunate’, she says Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said she has received death threats and been called racial slurs in the aftermath of her one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat in last week’s matchup against Indiana. Thomas also criticized the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, for not doing more to protect players. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 9:25 PMAlyssa Thomas calls out WNBA, Cathy Engelbert after receiving death threats and abuse following incident with Caitlin Clark
Alyssa Thomas said the incident with Caitlin Clark was an accident, and she didn't realize anything had happened until after the game.
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