Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made physical contact with Indiana Fever player Lexie Hull during the third quarter of their matchup on July 9, 2026. The incident occurred during a game where the Indiana Fever ultimately defeated the Phoenix Mercury 92-89.
Thomas, who had a notable on-court clash with Fever star Caitlin Clark two weeks prior, was a central figure in Thursday night's game. She finished with 22 points on 10-of-18 shooting, despite her team's loss. The play involving Hull was reviewed by officials and ultimately called a shooting foul on Hull.
Clark was a planned scratch for the game, with head coach Stephanie White opting to rest her after her return to the lineup in a previous game. The Fever overcame two 10-point deficits to secure the win, with Sophie Cunningham making two free throws in the final moments to seal the victory.
This latest physical play adds to the narrative surrounding the matchups between the Fever and the Mercury, with the games drawing significant attention. Thomas's history of physical play was noted, with the writer observing that she "seems like she throws one every game." Despite the intensity of the games, the Fever secured the win without their star guard, extending the attention on both teams.
