As the Caitlin Clark-Alyssa Thomas controversy rages on, some personalities have defended the Phoenix Mercury forward. Thomas’ teammate Kahleah Copper questioned why the forward isn’t getting more sympathy in this situation.
After the Mercury defeated the Toronto Tempo 89-80 on Saturday, Copper expressed solidarity with Thomas, who served a one-game suspension as a result of her altercation with Clark on Wednesday.
“We’re with AT,” Thomas told reporters. “We just wish it would have been handled the right way. We wish somebody also called her and checked on her and made sure that she was okay. I don’t think it played out how it should have, professionally.”
Copper, who has been playing alongside Thomas since the 2025 season, added that the six-time All-Star’s ordeal has made the Mercury more “connected.”
This sense of togetherness hasn’t always been evident in this down season for Phoenix, but on Saturday, the Mercury’s collective effort was enough to secure their seventh win at the expense of the Tempo. Despite getting outrebounded by the expansion team, Phoenix held the advantage in fastbreak points and production in the paint.
In Thomas’ absence, Copper finished with a team-high 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting from the field. Reserve forward Valeriane Ayayi added 20 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
“This Was Not a Thorough Investigation”: Mercury HC Nate Tibbetts Voices Disappointment Over Alyssa Thomas Suspension
Ahead of the Mercury-Tempo game, Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts made it clear that he was displeased with the WNBA’s handling of Alyssa Thomas’ suspension.
“I’m disappointed with the suspension process by our league and our leaders in the W,” he told reporters. “This was not a thorough investigation in my opinion. The people involved were not questioned at all.”
Tibbetts went on to take a shot at Fever head coach Stephanie White, saying that it was “ridiculous” for her to claim that the Mercury took two cheap shots at Caitlin Clark during their last meeting.
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