Instead of showing her love and gratitude for single-handedly resuscitating a failing league, many WNBA players aren’t even trying to hide their animosity toward Caitlin Clark.
That sad reality was on full display during a recent Fever-Mercury game, during which Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas took what appeared to be a sucker punch to the Indiana star’s throat.
As Fox News reported, NFL great Patrick Peterson addressed the recent incidents, offering his 13 years of pro sports experience to the rising basketball star:
“When they play each other, now you got to put (belt to a–). You got to prove it with your play. Now, now you understand that I’m getting cheap-shotted or however she may feel, I’m getting a cheap shot now. I got to go out here and bury these fools,” Peterson said. “Every time I see the Mercury show up on my schedule, it’s on from when the schedule comes out.”
ADVERTISEMENTPeterson, who played in the NFL for 13 seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times, said he would let his play do the talking on the field.
“That’s always been my mentality, because we can’t fight on the court. We can’t fight on the football field. We got helmets on. So what sense does that make? And the best way to silence someone is with your play,” Peterson said.
Clark has generally seemed to follow that advice, taking the high road even when other players openly mock and target her on and off the court.
But she is receiving an overwhelming flow of support on social media in the wake of the latest incident:
🔥Hold up…A closer look at the dirty play by Alyssa Thomas last night w/ a new angle — Wait for the freeze + zoom on each.
– Knee to the groin
– Pinches her underarm
– Fist to the throat
– Attempt to stomp on her (she moved)Why do @WNBA players hate Caitlin Clark so much? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/83JZSChdEu
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) June 25, 2026
NEW: WNBA player Alyssa Thomas has been suspended after she cheap-shotted Caitlin Clark in the throat.
No foul was called during the game as Thomas was caught on camera jamming her fist into Clark's throat.
The league has now suspended Thomas for one game and will fine her… pic.twitter.com/dsFXNroz2L
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 25, 2026
A flagrant PUNCH TO THE THROAT is now only punishable by a one-game suspension, per the WNBA.
Which means from here on out, Caitlin needs to start every game like this, because it should only be a slap on the wrist by comparison. Right, @WNBA pic.twitter.com/d6qqgAcMTs
— Media Illiterate (@BlocksRetards) June 26, 2026
Meanwhile, Clark recently stood up for herself after what she and many others considered a ridiculous call on the part of one referee.
As the Daily Caller reported:
“It’s ridiculous. I got a technical for clapping,” Clark said. “We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I’m going to be suspended for if I’m going to get technicals for clapping.”
The call came with eight minutes left as the Indiana Fever led the Phoenix Mercury by 19 points. The Mercury pushed in transition, forcing a cross-match between DeWanna Bonner and Clark.
A foul was called on Clark in the high post. She turned to engage the crowd as Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas and Indiana’s Myisha Hines-Allen began jawing. Clark approached them, clapping, and was assessed a technical foul by referee Gerda Gatling.
Here’s some additional coverage:
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