A report says NBA Commissioner Adam Silver pushed WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to suspend Las Vegas Aces forward Alyssa Thomas after an incident involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. The Sports Business Journal, as cited by multiple outlets, claims Engelbert initially hesitated to impose discipline, and Silver urged her to act. The WNBA has denied the allegation about Silver’s intervention.
The controversy stems from an incident during a June 24 game in which Thomas is reported to have struck Clark in the throat. According to the accounts, Thomas receives a one-game suspension and is assessed a Flagrant 2 foul. The episode is reported to have led to increased scrutiny of Engelbert’s leadership and to questions about how the WNBA protects Clark, who is described as a prominent player. The dispute has also reportedly prompted attention from political figures, including a letter from Republican lawmakers, as broader tensions around Clark’s growing visibility continue.
