NBA chief wades in on claims he intervened in Caitlin Clark 'throat punch' drama
NBA chief wades in on claims he intervened in Caitlin Clark 'throat punch' drama
Joshua MbuFri, July 17, 2026 at 12:56 PM UTC
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NBA boss Adam Silver has refused to address claims that he attempted to intervene in the WNBA's latest Caitlin Clark drama -Credit:Getty
The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, refused to comment on a bombshell report that claimed he encouraged WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert to give a flagrant foul and suspension to Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for an incident involving Caitlin Clark.
The WNBA has suspended Thomas for one game after determining she "recklessly" made contact with Clark's throat during a loose-ball tussle between the Indiana Fever and the Mercury on June 24.
Officials did not penalize the incident during the game, but the league later reviewed the footage, upgraded the play to a Flagrant 2 foul, and issued the suspension. Thomas said she has received death threats and has been called racial slurs in the aftermath of her one-game suspension.
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In recent days, Sports Business Journal has reported that NBA commissioner Silver staged an intervention over the situation that sparked country-wide attention.
It was claimed that Silver encouraged WNBA commissioner Engelbert to give Thomas a flagrant foul and suspension.
Engelbert had not originally planned to suspend Thomas. However, Silver — whose organization oversees the WNBA — felt "there was clear evidence of a flagrant foul, that he felt badly for Clark and told Engelbert she had to act."
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Silver addressed the controversy during the Game Plan panel at Fanatics Fest, offering a detailed response that outlined both his views on Clark's treatment and his reaction to the report.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media after the Board of Governors meetings during the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League on July 14, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. -Credit:Getty
“I think that ultimately the issues around Caitlin Clark are not largely about officiating,” Silver said.
“And that particular incident is not about whether a foul should have been called at the time of the game or whether that was ultimately a flagrant non-review.”
“I've come to know Caitlin really well. She's an incredible player and also an incredible person. And she wants to focus on being the best player she can,” Silver continued.
The NBA chief went on to claim that WNBA superstar Clark has become a “political football,” and that it is “unfair” to the Fever star.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 22: Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Phoenix Mercury and Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever get into a scuffle during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) -Credit:Getty Images
“And she's become a bit of a political football in this country, and I think it's incredibly unfair to her. I don't think that issue is ultimately about officiating,” he added.
“It's political ping pong with her. And she's a young woman who's trying to improve her game, focus on being the best player she can.
"And I don't even think it's fair to her that this has become a separate storyline about one foul - should it have been called in time or should it have been called a flagrant after the fact?
“That's my response. People are allowed to think whatever they can, and whatever they want about our league. But there's so much to celebrate around the WNBA.”
Source: “AOL Sports”
