Alyssa Thomas has received death threats and been called racial slurs following a controversial incident with WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, Thomas told reporters on Tuesday.
The Mercury forward also hit out at WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, criticizing her lack of support in the face of growing anger toward Thomas following the Clark incident.
Thomas was suspended one game for a play during a game against the Fever last week, in which she appeared to thrust her fist into the neck of Clark while she was on the ground. The Mercury player also appeared to knee Clark in the groin during the same play.
No foul was assessed during the game, but the WNBA did find that it warranted a one-game suspension for Thomas amid the growing controversy.
Speaking at the Mercury’s practice facility, Thomas described the play as a “complete accident,” but most of her comments centered around the vitriol she’s faced since the whole thing happened.
“It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball,” Thomas said. “A lot of us — myself included — didn’t even know the play took place until after the game. Now we’re being painted as thugs. There’s death threats out on us. It’s really unacceptable. It’s something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.”
Thomas did not seem to take much issue with the suspension, which she served over the weekend when the Mercury played Toronto, but did say she was not made aware of the one-game ban until 10 minutes before it was announced on social media.
Her biggest gripe on Tuesday was the league’s perceived lack of concern over the discourse of the incident.
“The biggest thing is about our safety. We’re so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again, we’re having people threaten our lives. Leaking addresses out there. Putting crazy pictures that have nothing to do with basketball,” Thomas said.
“People are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff,” Thomas added. “There’s a difference between trolling and there’s a difference between hatred. The hatred that we’re experiencing over a play that, honestly, was a complete accident, no one even knew it happened. It’s just unfortunate. The league has to do better in this instance.”
The WNBA released a statement in the wake of Thomas’ comments, calling the “safety and well-being” of everyone involved with the league its “top priority.”
“What she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community,” Engelbert said in part in a statement. “The league and our security team have been in contact with the Phoenix Mercury organization and remain committed to protecting all players.”
And multiple reports have suggested that Thomas’ narrative surrounding Engelbert may not be entirely true.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou was among the journalists to report that Thomas and Engelbert exchanged texts last week, and the WNBA commissioner told league security to reach out to the Mercury upon learning of the threats.
The situation has taken on a familiar story arc for controversies involving Clark, who often elicits fierce debate over her perceived treatment by the rest of the league.