Who is Alyssa Thomas? WNBA star suspended after Caitlin Clark throat punch
Caitlin Clark was struck in the throat during a WNBA loose tackle, sparking outrage and game suspension
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark was struck in the throat while tackling a loose ball, sparking outrage and prompting Alyssa Thomas to receive a one-game suspension. Fox News’ Garrett Tenney reports on the ‘totally unacceptable’ incident and the coach’s reaction. Political analyst Gianno Caldwell discusses Clark’s enormous impact on WNBA viewership, including a $2.2 billion deal, and the role of gender and race in the debate.
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Phoenix Mercury All-Star Alyssa Thomas became the latest villain for Caitlin Clark fans when she punched Clark in the throat during a game Wednesday night.
The referees missed the punch in real time, but the fans and the league office did not.
A viral clip of the slow-motion punch went viral on social media, pouring fuel into the ongoing culture war over Clark’s physical treatment by opposing players; This has been a contentious issue dating back to Clark’s rookie season in 2024.
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And less than 24 hours after the incident, the WNBA handed Thomas a one-game suspension for what it deemed a “careless” and “unbasketball act.”
Who is the woman behind the punch?
Thomas says she would have turned pro in combat sports if she wasn’t in the WNBA
In an interview conducted in 2019 Nike PLAYLISTThomas answered if he wasn’t pro in basketball, which sport would he play pro?
“It’s either boxing or MMA,” Thomas said.
Thomas said he would have gone into dentistry if he hadn’t turned pro in any sport.
“I loved going to the dentist ever since I was a kid. I was and still am fascinated with teeth. I’m passionate about the whole cleaning process.” Profile on WNBA.com.
Thomas had a ‘hissy fit’ when he first stepped onto the basketball court
Thomas was first signed up to try out for basketball by her mother, Tina, when she was five years old, according to the WNBA.
Thomas said she “threw myself down the stairs and down the hall,” while his mother said, “He had a full-on hissy fit.”
WNBA MISSED ALYSSA THOMAS FOR ‘THOUGHT’ SHOOT CAITLIN CLARK IN THE THROAT DURING THE MATCH
His parents didn’t let him win a popular board game
Thomas’ parents never went easy on him when they played “Candyland” while he was growing up.
“We weren’t parents who were going to let you win,” Tina said, according to the WNBA.
“You have to fight in life, and if you don’t teach your kids how to fight, how are you going to fight? So if he fell down, it was like ‘get up, you’re good,’ and if he didn’t get up, you knew something was wrong.”
It was a parenting tactic also used by the father of New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter, who famously never let Jeter win at board games or card games growing up, to instill fierce competitiveness at an early age.
Thomas added that his mother was particularly tough on him and helped him develop resilience.
“It wasn’t easy by any means and it still isn’t easy,” Thomas said.
Thomas plays more physically because shoulder issues hinder his ability to shoot
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas attempts to tackle Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026. Phoenix Mercury defeated Indiana Fever 111-109. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Thomas is currently playing basketball with torn labrums in both shoulders.
The injuries are so severe that he completely lacks the structural integrity to lift his arms and execute a traditional, flowing shot. Instead, he has to make a hard one-handed push from his chest to get the ball into the basket.
Unable to rely on external gravity, Thomas adapted by leaning entirely on her physical frame. He attacks the opposing defense directly, absorbing heavy contact in the paint and scoring points closer to the basket.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is seen after falling in the lane while Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was tracking the ball on June 24, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
This brutal driving style requires him to initiate intense physical confrontations from almost every position.
Despite mechanical limitations and constant pain, the tactical shift worked. She has established herself as a six-time All-Star, three-time All-WNBA First Team, Olympic gold medalist and the WNBA’s undisputed triple-double queen.
Thomas has been the focus of intense criticism this week
Clark’s punch to the throat sparked a violent reaction.
Indiana Fever Head Coach Stephanie White led the charge in the post-game press conference, taking credit for Thomas and league officials.
“We have a generational talent and a WNBA superstar with two cheap shots that weren’t called,” White said, pointing directly at Thomas’ actions. “Totally unacceptable.”
White argued that Thomas regularly crossed the line from playing physical defense to making dangerous, non-basketball contact.
White continued to lash out at reporters: “This is absolutely appalling and extremely disrespectful.” “The punch to the throat is crazy. Crazy. Dangerous.”
On Thursday, Fever President Kelly Krauskopf released a statement praising Thomas’ decision to suspend him.
“Player safety must be paramount in our league. We appreciate the WNBA’s review of last night’s incident and the precautions taken. Our focus right now is on Caitlin and our entire team as we prepare for Saturday,” Krauskopf said. he wrote.
Former Minnesota Vikings captain and prominent conservative activist Jack Brewer said the punch would be considered a “hate crime” if the roles were reversed.
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“If it were the other way around, it would be considered a hate crime,” Brewer told Fox News Digital.
Other critics also expressed their own outrage on social media.
