The Mercury deleted a social media post after fans called it inappropriate.
The post, which featured a stick figure wearing DeWanna Bonner’s No. 24 jersey, a ponytail, and her white headband lying on the ground, read “De-Wanna piece of this?!?”
The WNBA team faced backlash for posting in light of the viral clip of Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas pushing down on the neck of Caitlin Clark, and has taken it down to avoid any further confusion, per USA Today.
The doodle shared on Wednesday showcases a play in which Bonner made a layup through a foul in the second quarter and roared in celebration. Bonner made the subsequent and-one attempt, which tied the game, through a barrage of boo’s.
The Mercury has posted similar doodles representing key moments in wins since last season.
The controversy stems from the Thomas and Clark play, which did not result in a foul despite Thomas’ fist going into Clark’s neck before she stepped over the former Iowa standout.
“It was egregious. The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said.
On Thursday, the league adjusted the call and handed Thomas a Flagrant Foul 2, a one-game suspension, and a $1,000 fine for “recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area of Caitlin Clark.”
“Player safety should be paramount in our league. We appreciate the WNBA’s review of last night’s incident and the action taken,” Fever team president Kelly Krauskopf said in a statement. “Right now our focus is on Caitlin and our entire team as we prepare for Saturday.”
The Thomas play was not the only altercation in the series. Monday’s game featured six technical fouls and one ejection.
At one point in the game, Clark and Bonner exchanged words and were separated by a referee, an event some connected to the social media post.
