Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas has again drawn controversy for physical play on the court, this time involving Indiana Fever player Lexie Hull, less than two weeks after being suspended for making contact with Caitlin Clark's throat. The incident occurred Thursday night during a game between the Mercury and the Fever.
Midway through the third quarter, while competing for a loose ball, Hull appeared to be hit in the nose by an elbow from Thomas. Hull was seen with a bloody nose and later on the bench with tissue stuffed up her nose to stop the bleeding. Cameras captured Thomas laughing with a teammate shortly after the play. Some observers criticized the incident as intentional violence, while others suggested it was incidental contact.
The Mercury player had previously served a one-game suspension without pay after a review determined she recklessly made contact with Clark's throat with a closed fist in an earlier game. That incident, which occurred on June 24, sparked significant debate and accusations of potential racial profiling.
Political Reaction to WNBA Incidents
The ongoing physical altercations involving Thomas and other players have prompted a letter from eleven Republican members of Congress to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Led by U.S. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, the lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as "multiple attacks" on Clark, whom they called "the face of your league."
The letter cited an increase in fan interest, television ratings, and corporate sponsorships attributed to Clark. The lawmakers stated that Clark has been on the receiving end of "unnecessary physical hostility and violence," including hip-checking, eye-poking, and the throat incident. They questioned whether these "attacks" might be "racially motivated."
"As Commissioner, you have an obligation to ensure that every player competes in a safe and professional environment, both on and off the court, free from violence, discrimination, or retaliation," the letter read. The lawmakers also suggested that if discrimination or retaliation is occurring and creating a hostile work environment, they would support an investigation by federal agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, noting that such conduct could violate federal civil rights laws.
The congressional group posed three questions to Commissioner Engelbert regarding the league's review process for on-court violence, accountability for overly aggressive acts, and measures taken to protect players from online harassment. They requested a response by July 24.
Despite the controversy, the Indiana Fever secured a narrow 92-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in Thursday night's game. Clark did not participate in the game due to ongoing injury recovery.