The Phoenix Mercury's official social media account reportedly posted a meme mocking Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shortly after the Mercury's 111-109 victory on Wednesday night, a post that was later deleted. Screenshots of the now-removed post circulated on X, appearing to show a cartoon player on the floor with the caption, "DE-WANNA PIECE OF THIS?!," a play on Mercury player DeWanna Bonner's name.
The timing of the alleged post drew scrutiny given an incident earlier in the game where Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas appeared to strike Clark's thigh with her knee and press her fist into Clark's neck and throat area as players scrambled for the ball. Indiana head coach Stephanie White described the play as a "blatant cheap shot" and "absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful."
League Discipline and Player Safety
The WNBA announced Thursday that Thomas had been assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and a one-game suspension for "recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area" of Clark, deeming the action a non-basketball act. No fouls were called on the play during the game.
Later in the contest, Clark exited the game with a back issue after being fouled by Valeriane Ayayi on a 3-point attempt. She finished with 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes before leaving. White expressed frustration with the officiating, stating that Clark had endured "two cheap shots right there that weren’t called."
The league's disciplinary action against Thomas did not address the Mercury's social media post. The Fever did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the alleged post, the game's incidents, or player safety concerns.
Social Media Tactics and Organization Response
Many professional sports teams have adopted more aggressive social media strategies. However, critics suggested that if the Mercury's post was intended as a jab at Clark following the physical play and her subsequent injury, it crossed a line. The deletion of the post suggests an internal recognition that it may have been inappropriate.
OutKick reached out to the Mercury for comment on the authenticity, approval, deletion, and appropriateness of the post, as well as accountability and social media review processes. The Mercury did not respond by their deadline. The WNBA also did not respond to questions about the post or its contact with the Mercury.
Wednesday's game was the second physically intense matchup between the Fever and Mercury in a short span. A game two days prior saw six technical fouls and one ejection. The heightened physicality and the subsequent social media controversy highlight the increased attention and scrutiny surrounding Clark's entry into the league and its impact on viewership and conversation.