Nate Tibbetts defends Alyssa Thomas amid suspension controversy
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 27, 2026, 6:37 PM
Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts expressed support for Alyssa Thomas, who is serving a one-game suspension after an incident involving Caitlin Clark during a recent game against the Indiana Fever. Thomas was penalized for recklessly making contact with Clark's throat, despite no foul being called during the match. Following the game, Fever coach Stephanie White criticized Thomas' actions and described them as 'egregious.' Tibbetts questioned the WNBA's suspension process, asserting it lacked thoroughness and consistency. The Mercury are preparing for a matchup against the Toronto Tempo without Thomas, who remains sidelined due to the suspension.
- •Alyssa Thomas suspended for one game after incident with Caitlin Clark.
- •Nate Tibbetts criticized WNBA's investigation process.
- •Stephanie White called Thomas' actions 'egregious.'
- •Thomas will not play against Toronto Tempo.
- •Upcoming matchup affects team's strategy without Thomas.
- 11:30 PMYahoo Sports — Nate Tibbetts Fires Back At Fever Coach Over Jab About Alyssa Thomas’ Alleged ‘Cheap Shot’
- 2:01 AMYahoo Sports — Caitlin Clark-Alyssa Thomas incident: Mercury coach rejects ‘cheap shot’ claims
- 10:44 PMESPN — Mercury's Tibbetts rips WNBA after Thomas ruling
- 8:12 PMYahoo Sports — Mercury coach irrationally defends Alyssa Thomas after suspension for Caitlin Clark cheap shot
- 8:01 PMYahoo Sports — Mercury coach rips WNBA's Alyssa Thomas-Caitlin Clark investigation
- 7:40 PMYahoo Sports — Mercury coach says Alyssa Thomas incident with Caitlin Clark wasn’t a ‘cheap shot’
- 6:37 PMCBS Sports — Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts calls out WNBA, defends Alyssa Thomas after Caitlin Clark controversy
"On Saturday, the Phoenix Mercury were forced to face the Toronto Tempo without the services of six-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas, much to the now public chagrin of her coach, Nate Tibbetts, and teammates, including fellow All-Star Kahleah Copper. Thomas served the one-game suspension the WNBA imposed after her altercation on Wednesday with Indiana Fever All-Star guard Caitlin Clark. No foul was called on the play, but it subjected Thomas to massive public scrutiny and led the WNBA to retro
"Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts called out the WNBA and defended his star player, Alyssa Thomas, ahead of the team's matchup against the Toronto Tempo on Saturday, days after Thomas was suspended for a play involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
"Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts is firing back at the WNBA for suspending Alyssa Thomas after a Flagrant Foul The Nate Tibbetts Fires Back At Fever Coach Over Jab About Alyssa Thomas’ Alleged ‘Cheap Shot’ first appeared on The Blast
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 28, 2026, 11:30 PMNate Tibbetts Fires Back At Fever Coach Over Jab About Alyssa Thomas’ Alleged ‘Cheap Shot’
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts is firing back at the WNBA for suspending Alyssa Thomas after a Flagrant Foul The Nate Tibbetts Fires Back At Fever Coach Over Jab About Alyssa Thomas’ Alleged ‘Cheap Shot’ first appeared on The Blast
- Yahoo SportsJun 28, 2026, 2:01 AMCaitlin Clark-Alyssa Thomas incident: Mercury coach rejects ‘cheap shot’ claims
On Saturday, the Phoenix Mercury were forced to face the Toronto Tempo without the services of six-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas, much to the now public chagrin of her coach, Nate Tibbetts, and teammates, including fellow All-Star Kahleah Copper. Thomas served the one-game suspension the WNBA imposed after her altercation on Wednesday with Indiana Fever All-Star guard Caitlin Clark. No foul was called on the play, but it subjected Thomas to massive public scrutiny and led the WNBA to retro
- ESPNJun 27, 2026, 10:44 PMMercury's Tibbetts rips WNBA after Thomas ruling
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts called out the WNBA and defended his star player, Alyssa Thomas, ahead of the team's matchup against the Toronto Tempo on Saturday, days after Thomas was suspended for a play involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
- Yahoo SportsJun 27, 2026, 8:12 PMMercury coach irrationally defends Alyssa Thomas after suspension for Caitlin Clark cheap shot
Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts' reaction to Alyssa Thomas' suspension for cheap shots on Caitlin Clark shows how out of touch he is.
- Yahoo SportsJun 27, 2026, 8:01 PMMercury coach rips WNBA's Alyssa Thomas-Caitlin Clark investigation
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts expressed his disappointment with the WNBA's process in suspending Alyssa Thomas.
- Yahoo SportsJun 27, 2026, 7:40 PMMercury coach says Alyssa Thomas incident with Caitlin Clark wasn’t a ‘cheap shot’
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said Alyssa Thomas' incident with Caitlin Clark wasn't a cheap shot. He said the WNBA's investigation was not thorough.
- CBS SportsJun 27, 2026, 6:37 PMMercury coach Nate Tibbetts calls out WNBA, defends Alyssa Thomas after Caitlin Clark controversy
Tibbetts was also quick to respond to Fever coach Stephanie White's 'cheap shot' accusations
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