Caitlin Clark condemned the threats, slurs and harassment aimed at WNBA players on Friday, while confirming she would miss Sunday’s Indiana Fever game against the Las Vegas Aces with a back injury.
“The harassment, the hate. None of that is OK,” the two-time All-Star said. “I don’t want anyone to experience that.”
Clark spoke after Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said she received death threats and racial slurs following the teams’ June 22 matchup. Thomas was suspended for one game after contacting Clark’s throat with her fist during the Mercury’s 111-109 win.
Clark also slammed the days of coverage surrounding the play, saying the conversation had overshadowed the rest of the league.
“When I turned the TV on Sunday, and that game was on Wednesday and that’s all people were talking about,” she explained. “I feel like that’s such a disservice to the rest of our league.” She added that while the incident deserved discussion, repeatedly pushing the story into other narratives was “really just not acceptable.”
After throat-punching Caitlin Clark, Alyssa Thomas is claiming her life has been threatened and playing the victim card. Classic. pic.twitter.com/FDTlginWoa
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) June 30, 2026
Fever coach Stephanie White delivered a similar message on Wednesday, denouncing the “toxicity, racism, homophobia” and “straight up hateful nonsense” directed at players.
The WNBA has introduced artificial intelligence software to help identify online threats and expanded confidential mental health resources and the players union has also reminded members that security support is available for them and their families.