Caitlin Clark Punched in the Throat by Phoenix Mercury Player Alyssa Thomas in Cheap Shot as Dave Portnoy Lashes Out [WATCH]

Dave Portnoy has slammed WNBA star Alyssa Thomas after an incident during Wednesday night’s game in which Thomas appeared to punch Caitlin Clark in the throat. The incident has attracted widespread criticism from both the players and fans.

Clark was attacking the basket when she went down in the paint while being closely defended by several Phoenix Mercury players. As she tried to maintain possession, three Mercury defenders suddenly swarmed her and started battling for the ball and eventually managed to knock it loose. However, as Clark lay on the floor, Thomas came in and appeared to make contact with the Indiana Fever star’s neck with an extremely closed fist.

Clark Attacked Again

Thomas then appeared to lean into the contact before using Clark to help herself get back to her feet, stepping over her as play continued. A replay from another angle also appeared to show Thomas driving her left knee into Clark’s groin area while the two players were tangled up and falling to the floor.

The incident sent fuming Portnoy, a longtime supporter of Clark, who slammed the play in a post on X. He wrote: “What are we even doing here? Brutal cheap shot.

“These women would still be flying commercial without Caitlin and this is how she is treated. Insane.”

Despite replay footage showing the play, officials did not call a foul, even though a referee was standing just a few yards away. The WNBA could still review the incident for a possible flagrant foul.

“It was egregious and clearly disrespectful. The fact that it was a no-call … You got to call it,” Fever coach Stephanie White said.

“You’re coming in here aware of what happened two nights ago and that f*ing still happens? Absolutely unacceptable.”

Another Injury for Clark

To make matters worse for Indiana, Clark left the Fever’s 111-109 loss to Phoenix in the second half with a back injury. The All-Star guard has been dealing with a back problem this season and exited with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter. She went to the locker room and did not return.

Clark appeared to hurt her back in the second quarter after being fouled while attempting a three-pointer. She fell to the floor on the play and was seen rubbing her back as she got up.

After Clark suffered the back injury, Portnoy posted another message on X, writing: “Caitlin tweaked her back on this foul. Eventually checked out and didn’t return. The @WNBA unfortunately reaps what it sows.”

The two teams had also faced off on Monday night in a game that featured six technical fouls and one ejection. Clark received her fifth technical foul of the season in that contest, and the Fever are appealing to have it overturned.

Clark and teammate Sophie Cunningham were involved in a tense exchange with former teammate DeWanna Bonner during Monday’s game.

With just under eight minutes remaining in Indiana’s 86-77 win over Phoenix, Clark was defending Bonner when the ball came their way. As the two players battled for position, Bonner appeared to swing an arm at Clark in an aggressive effort to break free.

A confrontation then broke out while officials were reviewing the play. Bonner and Cunningham were seen pointing at each other, though the reason for the exchange was not immediately clear.

Bonner’s teammates and several Mercury staff members eventually stepped in and guided her away from Cunningham, who continued pointing in her direction.