Coach Nate Tibbetts Calls Out WNBA for ‘Unfair’ Suspension of Alyssa Thomas Following Caitlin Clark Foul

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts has strongly criticized the WNBA’s determination to droop star ahead Alyssa Thomas following a controversial foul involving Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, saying the league’s course of was “not thorough” and unfair to his participant.

WNBA Faces Criticism

The suspension got here after an incident throughout Wednesday’s recreation between the Mercury and the Fever, when Thomas was reviewed and assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for what the league described as “recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area” of Clark.

No foul was initially referred to as throughout the recreation, however the league later issued a one-game suspension, which Thomas served throughout Saturday’s matchup towards the Toronto Tempo.

Tibbetts expressed frustration over how the choice was made, saying the league didn’t correctly examine the state of affairs.

“This was not a thorough investigation in my opinion,” he mentioned, including that neither he nor Thomas have been contacted throughout the evaluation course of, NY Post reported. He mentioned the league’s dealing with of the case left necessary voices unheard.

Nate Tibbetts Slams WNBA

Defending his participant, Tibbetts pushed again towards the concept Thomas performed a grimy fashion of basketball.

“The people in this league know who AT is,” he mentioned. “She’s a competitor, she’s a winner, and she’s tough. The one thing she is not is cheap.”

The incident has sparked widespread debate throughout the league and amongst followers, particularly after video of the play circulated on-line.

Some critics argued the contact ought to have been referred to as instantly throughout the recreation, whereas others mentioned the league’s later suspension was justified primarily based on the severity of the motion.

According to Reuters, Mercury guard Kahleah Copper additionally voiced assist for Thomas, saying the workforce felt the state of affairs was dealt with poorly. “We’re with AT,” Copper mentioned.

“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 OK. I don’t think it played out how it should have professionally.”

On the opposite aspect, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White beforehand referred to as the uncalled foul “absolutely unacceptable,” including additional rigidity to the already heated matchup.