WNBA fans criticize missed foul on Clark in Fever-Mercury game

A scramble for a loose ball in the first half of Wednesday’s Fever-Mercury matchup turned ugly. Alyssa Thomas pressed her fist on Caitlin Clark’s neck while the Indiana guard had slipped to the floor during a drive. The referees did not call a foul on Thomas for the play. Thomas then stepped over Clark after the scramble.

Fans and observers erupted. The contact looked like a clear violation, but the no-call went unchallenged. The incident unfolded at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026, in a game the Fever ultimately won 86-77.

Bad blood between these teams was already simmering. Monday’s matchup saw multiple technical fouls after a dust-up between Clark and DeWanna Bonner in the second half. Wednesday’s incident only made things worse.

Clark’s night was solid: 24 points, three rebounds, and nine assists on 8-for-17 shooting in 29 minutes. She made her feelings clear about the officiating. During her postgame interview, Clark didn’t hold back her criticism of the officials.

But there was an irony to the evening. Clark picked up her fifth technical foul of the season—for clapping. A celebratory gesture earned a whistle, yet the contact on her neck earlier in the game drew nothing. The contrast was hard to miss.