Phoenix Mercury Associate Head Coach Kristi Toliver invoked a quote from former First Lady Michelle Obama in a public statement defending player Alyssa Thomas, who was suspended for punching Caitlin Clark in the throat during a recent WNBA game. The incident occurred Tuesday when Clark, who was on the ground after diving for a loose ball, was struck in the throat by Thomas as the Mercury player lunged for possession.
Officials missed the call during the fast-paced play, but the WNBA retroactively assessed Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2 the following day. This resulted in a one-game suspension for the Mercury star. The penalty has drawn criticism, with some fans and observers deeming it insufficient.
In the wake of the suspension, Mercury player Natasha Mack posted on social media platform Threads, "It's FREE AT until AT FREE!! standing with my bestie." This statement divided opinions, with some praising Mack for supporting her teammate, while others criticized it for appearing to lack accountability.
Toliver's defense came via an Instagram post, where she shared a picture with Thomas and captioned it, "When they go low, we go high - Michelle Obama." This quote is from a 2016 speech by Obama. The former First Lady used the phrase to advocate for maintaining dignity and ethical conduct in the face of adversity and negative campaigning.
Toliver's use of the quote has been interpreted by some as suggesting Thomas is the victim in the situation, rather than Clark.
Clark sustained another back injury as a result of the foul, according to her coach, Stephanie White. White described the missed call during the game as "egregious" and "disrespectful." Clark will miss Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Sparks, and White did not provide a timeline for her return. The Indiana Fever have a seven-game break following Saturday's matchup.
