Caitlin Clark throat hit during WNBA loose ball scramble, sparking backlash and suspension
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark was hit in the neck during a loose ball game, sparking outrage and a one-game suspension for Alyssa Thomas. Pakinomist’ Garrett Tenney reports on the ‘absolutely unacceptable’ incident and the coach’s reaction. Political analyst Gianno Caldwell discusses Clark’s huge influence on WNBA ratings, including a $2.2 billion deal, and the role of gender and race in the controversy.
Sophie Cunningham throws more fuel on the WNBA fire.
Caitlin Clark’s sidekick is never one to hide from anything, and on the latest episode of her “Show Me Something” podcast, she didn’t shy away from her true feelings about her former team.
Cunningham once played for the Phoenix Mercury, but last week the Mercury were Public Enemy No. 1 after Alyssa Thomas’ foul on Caitlin Clark.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham points at Phoenix Mercury forward guard DeWanna Bonner after an altercation during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 22, 2026. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury 86-77. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The violation went away before the WNBA reviewed the play, upgraded the violation to a Flagrant 2 and suspended Thomas. But Mercury also poked fun at the incident in a since-deleted social media post.
Constantly having Clark’s back, Cunningham said “no one” likes Mercury.
“I know people in their own organization — nobody likes their team this year. They say they’re the most unfriendly group,” Cunningham said. “So we’re not the only ones who feel this way. Internal people feel this way too.”
However, it drew the ire of USA TODAY WNBA reporter Meaghan L. Hall, who said Cunningham should keep her comments to herself.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham points at Phoenix Mercury forward guard DeWanna Bonner after an altercation during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 22, 2026. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury 86-77. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATOR RIVERS WNBA’S ‘THUG TREATMENT’ OF CAITLIN CLARK AFTER LATEST COURT CONTROVERSY
“Goodness gracious. I – 1) This is wildly unprofessional,” she began in an X post.
“2) How does this help points to everything current discourse? 3) No scenario exists where a player should say this about any organization.”
Cunningham spent six seasons with the Mercury before joining the Indiana Fever last year. She was named in a lawsuit last year that claimed she had a sexual relationship with Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, which she denied.
Indiana Fever guards Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark stand next to each other during the second half against the Portland Fire at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore., on May 30, 2026. (Jaime Valdez/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The Fever and Mercury will meet again on July 9, but Clark’s status remains in doubt due to a lingering problem.
