Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts criticized the WNBA’s handling of Alyssa Thomas’ one-game suspension before Saturday’s 89-80 win over the Toronto Tempo. He said the league’s review was not thorough and that no one from the WNBA contacted him, Thomas, or team security before the punishment was announced.
Thomas was suspended for a play earlier in the week involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, after the league said she “recklessly [made] contact with her fist to the throat area.” Fever coach Stephanie White called the play a “cheap shot,” and no foul was called during the game.
Mercury push back on the process
Tibbetts said he was disappointed in the league’s suspension process and argued that the decision should have included a closer look at the circumstances from the Mercury’s side. He also defended Thomas’ reputation, saying, “The people in this league know who AT is. She’s a competitor, she’s a winner, and she’s tough. The one thing she is not is cheap.”
After the win, Thomas’ teammates also backed her publicly. Kahleah Copper said, “We’re with AT,” and added that she wished the matter had been handled professionally, including someone checking on Thomas after the incident.
Lexi Held said the team wanted to speak up because there were “a lot of narratives going on that were false and untrue.” She added that the Mercury wanted to give Thomas a voice during what she called “crazy, rough times.”
Officiating remains under the microscope
The dispute landed during a wider debate about officiating in the WNBA. The league formed a committee during the offseason to improve in-game officiating, with a focus on consistent calls and freedom of movement for offensive players.
Tibbetts and White are both part of that task force, and White has also been outspoken about recent no-calls. After Wednesday’s game, in which Clark exited early with a back issue after landing on the foot of her close-out defender, White called the no-calls on Clark “egregious and utterly disrespectful.”
After the league announced Thomas’ suspension, White said she was glad the decision was made but added, “These are things that we can’t miss in real time. We’ve got to be better.” On Saturday, Tibbetts agreed that the game needs to be cleaned up, but said the standard should apply equally no matter who is involved.
“Let’s not base it on generational talent, fanbase involvement, All-Star level players or role players,” Tibbetts said. “Let’s don’t base it off veterans or young players, or white players or Black players, or international players. If this is the standard, make this the standard, even if the roles were reversed in this situation.”
| Key Figure | Role | Notable Point |
|---|---|---|
| Nate Tibbetts | Phoenix Mercury coach | Called the suspension process not thorough |
| Alyssa Thomas | Mercury star player | Served a one-game suspension |
| Caitlin Clark | Indiana Fever guard | Involved in the play that led to the suspension |
| Stephanie White | Fever coach | Called the play a cheap shot and later said the league must be better |
The Mercury’s public defense of Thomas added another layer to the league’s ongoing officiating debate. It also showed how one suspension can quickly become part of a broader conversation about consistency, accountability, and how the WNBA handles controversial plays.
