BREAKING: The WNBA organizers have officially announced a 3-game suspension and a $100,000 fine for the dirty actions committed by two Connecticut Sun players against Caitlin Clark in a violent manner.

In a development that has sent shockwaves through the WNBA community and beyond, league officials have handed down three-game suspensions and levied a $100,000 team fine in response to what they described as “egregious and unsportsmanlike conduct” by two Connecticut Sun players in a recent matchup against Indiana Fever rookie phenom Caitlin Clark.

The disciplinary actions, announced by the WNBA’s disciplinary committee late Monday night, follow intense public scrutiny and player safety concerns after Clark was subjected to two separate violent fouls during a nationally televised game at Mohegan Sun Arena. The incidents, captured in high-definition from multiple angles and widely circulated on social media, appeared to show premeditated and targeted aggression, leading to heated debate over the league’s response to rising tensions surrounding Clark’s high-profile entrance into the WNBA.

According to the league’s statement, the incidents occurred in the second and third quarters of the Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever game on Saturday night. The players identified in the ruling — forward Alyssa Thomas and guard DiJonai Carrington — were both cited for “excessive force and intentional physical contact with the clear intent to intimidate or injure.”

• In the second quarter, Thomas delivered a body-check-style shoulder to Clark as she attempted to run off a screen. The hit sent Clark crashing to the floor, where she remained down momentarily before being helped up by teammates. No foul was called at the time.
• Then, in the third quarter, Carrington caught Clark with a hard forearm to the upper chest while she was driving into the paint — a blow that appeared to snap Clark’s head back. Carrington was assessed a common foul, but not a flagrant.

Reviewing the game footage and additional referee reports, the WNBA concluded that both actions were “well outside the scope of competitive basketball play” and represented a breach of league standards on sportsmanship and player safety.

“The WNBA is committed to protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring the safety of all players,” the league said in its official release. “Targeting individuals with reckless or malicious intent will not be tolerated.”

The suspensions — effective immediately — will sideline both Thomas and Carrington for the Sun’s next three games, significantly impacting a team that currently sits near the top of the league standings. The $100,000 fine levied against the Connecticut Sun organization is one of the largest in league history and is intended to “hold teams accountable for the culture they create and tolerate.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, speaking to media following the announcement, emphasized that the league’s decision was not about protecting individual stars but about “setting a standard for professional conduct.”

“We support physical, passionate play — but what happened in that game went too far,” Engelbert said. “Our fans, our players, and our partners deserve better.”

Clark, who did not address the media directly after the game, spoke briefly at Fever practice on Tuesday morning following the announcement.

“I appreciate the league taking action,” she said. “I’m just focused on playing ball, helping my team, and doing what I love. I know physical play is part of the game, but there’s a line.”

The former Iowa superstar, who is averaging 16.7 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game as a rookie, has been the subject of increased physicality all season — something many attribute to the intense spotlight and divided fan responses her rapid rise has generated.

While she has mostly responded with grace and determination, Saturday’s incidents appear to have finally prompted the league to step in decisively.

Players and coaches across the WNBA were quick to weigh in following the suspensions. While some supported the decision, others cautioned against the league over-policing physical play.

A’ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces star and reigning MVP, tweeted:

“There’s tough D — and then there’s dirty. Good on the league for knowing the difference.”

Meanwhile, veteran guard Natasha Cloud of the Phoenix Mercury wrote:

“Let’s make sure we’re not turning physical play into criminal charges. Basketball is a contact sport.”

The mixed reactions underscore the broader debate swirling within the WNBA: how to balance legitimate physicality — long a badge of honor in the league — with the need to protect marquee players and foster a growing global audience.

Clark has become the centerpiece of that conversation. Her games routinely draw the highest ratings in the league, she has broken merchandise sales records, and her arrival has driven more media coverage than the WNBA has seen in years.

The Connecticut Sun organization issued a formal statement acknowledging the league’s ruling and affirming that both players will serve their suspensions without appeal.

“We respect the WNBA’s process and decision. While we support our players, we recognize the importance of upholding the league’s standards for sportsmanship and safety.”

Head coach Stephanie White, who has publicly praised Clark’s skill in the past, added:

“Basketball is an emotional game, but we have to hold ourselves to the highest standard — especially when the eyes of the world are watching. We’ll take this moment to regroup, reset, and get back to playing the right way.”

The suspension decision instantly became a trending topic across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. Sports talk shows, blogs, and national outlets exploded with commentary.

Clark’s supporters, who had spent days calling for league action, praised the WNBA’s decision as a necessary and overdue stand.

Some opposing voices claimed the punishment was excessive and driven by the league’s desire to “protect its golden goose.” Others countered that Clark, like any rookie, should be given the opportunity to compete without being targeted.

The WNBA has long battled for broader cultural recognition, and Caitlin Clark’s presence — along with the intense reactions it inspires — may be accelerating the sport’s growing pains.

“The league is growing. The eyes are bigger. The consequences are heavier. That’s the price of progress,” said ESPN analyst Andraya Carter.

The suspensions raise significant questions about how the league will handle future incidents — not just with Clark, but with any high-profile player facing excessive physicality.

Will referees begin to call tighter games to prevent flare-ups?

Will the league establish clearer guidelines for distinguishing tough play from dangerous play?

Is this a turning point for the WNBA’s evolving brand?

“This is a culture-check moment,” said WNBA insider Rachel Galligan. “It’s about setting norms for the future of the league — one that’s growing, global, and full of emerging stars who deserve protection without losing the toughness that defines the league.”

As Caitlin Clark continues to carve her path as one of the most watched and polarizing rookies in league history, the WNBA now finds itself at a crossroads — between physical tradition and player safety, between protecting stars and respecting competitive edge, between who the league has been and who it’s becoming.

The three-game suspensions and the $100,000 fine mark more than just disciplinary action. They’re a message.

The WNBA isn’t just protecting Clark.
It’s protecting its future.