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DeWanna Bonner, Mercury Players Show Support After Alyssa Thomas Suspension
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- DeWanna Bonner, Mercury Players Show Support After Alyssa Thomas Suspension
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas received a one-game suspension from the WNBA following an incident involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark .
During the second quarter of Wednesday's game between the Mercury and Fever, Clark tumbled while attacking the basket. Several Phoenix players scrambled for the ball, including Thomas.
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However, Thomas was seen hitting Clark in the throat area while she was down and after the ball was no longer in her possession. That incident sparked plenty of backlash, especially since no foul was called.
After the game, the WNBA reviewed the incident and ruled that it was a Flagrant 2 foul. The league then hit Thomas with a suspension , sidelining her for Saturday's game against the Toronto Tempo .
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) scrambles to get up over Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
After the WNBA's suspension and amid the backlash on Thomas, her Mercury teammates made sure to show their support for her.
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Former Fever player DeWanna Bonner , who continues to have beef with Indiana as well, wrote on her Instagram story: "Forever got your front and your back!! We love you!!"
It's worth noting that Bonner and Thomas are a couple and have been engaged since 2023.
Valeriane Ayayi, who's also receiving criticism for her dangerous closeout on Clark during Wednesday's game, shared an in-game photo of herself with Thomas and captioned it, "side by side!!"
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Mercury guard Lexi Held added, "We all riding with AT."
"We got you, always," Sami Whitcomb further stated in support of her teammate.
The Mercury coaching staff, particularly associate head coach Kristi Toliver and assistant coach Tangela Smith, also took to social media to express solidarity with Thomas.
Thomas has yet to address her suspension, but regardless, it's clear that her partner in Bonner, along with the rest of the Mercury organization, is standing behind her as she faces another challenging time in her WNBA career..
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
