Wednesday's night game between the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury erupted in chaos and accusations of intentional harm, something that's beginning to feel like the accepted norm when these two games play. By the end the night, half the people commentating on the game were convinced Alyssa Thomas tried to hurt Caitlin Clark on purpose, and Clark had exited the game due to a back injury. The Mercury won the game 111-109.
While speaking to reporters after the match, the Fever's head coach Stephanie White said she didn't know if Clark's injury was due to the second-quarter scuffle with Thomas. Video from the night appears to show Thomas hold her first on Clark's neck and then step over her in a way that prohibits her movement. White expressed concern that no fouls were called at all, something she said was especially problematic given Clark's talent.
Thomas has since received a flagrant 2 foul and been suspended for one game.
Things between the Mercury and the Fever have been dicey since at least last season, when DeWanna Bonner abruptly stopped playing for Indiana and requested a trade to Phoenix, where Thomas played at the time (Bonner and Thomas married). Both Bonner and the Fever offered vague explanations for what went wrong, and neither side has ever explained why the relationship ended — but Bonner's departure appeared to sow a lot of discord in Indiana, and vice-versa.
Thomas is also known for being a very physical player. Last season she barreled through Napheesa Collier, causing a double ankle injury that still has Collier off the floor. She also once yanked Angel Reese by her neck and pulled her to the floor, and is, in general, known as a player who brings a lot of physicality to the game. Clark is an especially popular player, and any attack against her — perceived or otherwise — gets infinitely more eyeballs than the rest.
Everyone is losing right now
A lot of things can be true at once. Officiating in the WNBA needs to be overhauled; the league took steps during the offseason to begin that process, and it's obviously not perfect or complete. Clark is known for outbursts on court, leading some to suggest her own behavior isn't making things any easier or her. The WNBA has always been a physical league, but there is such a thing as too much physicality, and no one should intentionally try to hurt someone else.
And unfortunately for everyone involved, the Fever and the Mercury will meet one more time when the two teams play in Phoenix on July 9. The game is bound to be intense and highly watched, and it won't be surprising if it descends into chaos yet again. It seems when it comes to Caitlin Clark, people see what they want to see — something that may continue to bring more harm than good to conversations surrounding the WNBA until changes are made.
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