Phoenix Mercury draws backlash over social media post after Caitlin Clark exits with injury
by The Washington Times AI News Desk · The Washington TimesThe Phoenix Mercury are facing widespread criticism over a social media post published Wednesday night that many fans and observers viewed as mocking Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who left the game early with a back injury in a contest marked by physical play and disputed officiating.
Phoenix secured a 111-109 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Clark exited in the third quarter with a back injury and did not return, having logged 19 points, eight assists and one steal on 5-of-9 shooting and 3-of-4 from three-point range.
The game itself was contentious before the final buzzer. During a loose-ball scramble, Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas appeared to drive her knee into the Fever guard’s groin area and make contact with her fist to Clark’s throat. No foul was called on the play, but the incident drew immediate outcry on social media.
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White did not hold back in her postgame remarks.
“We have a generational talent and WNBA superstar who had two cheap shots [against her] right there that weren’t called,” White said. “Absolutely unacceptable.” She added, “The fist in the throat is crazy. It’s crazy. It’s dangerous.”
White also said she had brought the Thomas play to the attention of officials at halftime, but the second half produced 11 Fever fouls against two Mercury fouls and 24 Phoenix free throws.
Shortly after the game, the Mercury’s official X account posted a stick-figure graphic of forward DeWanna Bonner — a former Fever player — appearing to laugh. The caption read: “De-wanna piece of this?!?” The graphic depicted a player lying on their back in a prone position — a detail many viewers said closely resembled the position Clark was in when she was struck in the throat. Fans flooded the Mercury’s comment section, calling the post inappropriate and tone-deaf given Clark’s injury. Many viewed it as a direct dig at the Fever star. Commenters tagged the WNBA and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, demanding the league take action.
“Y’all literally mocking CC. What a disgrace of an organization,” one user wrote.
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Wednesday’s game was the second meeting between the clubs this week. The first, held Monday, saw six technical fouls distributed among players — including Thomas, Clark and Bonner — and Fever forward Myisha Hines-Allen was ejected after receiving her second technical. The Fever won that game 86-77 in a physical affair in which Clark and Bonner got tangled near the free-throw line and exchanged words after the whistle.
The two teams have one more regular-season matchup scheduled. Phoenix will host Indiana at Mortgage Matchup Center on July 10. The Fever’s next game is Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks. The team has not provided a return timetable for Clark.
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