WNBA star Caitlin Clark responds after being punched in throat
WNBA star Caitlin Clark publicly responds after being punched in the throat during a game by Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas. Clark expresses frustration that the incident overshadows the game. Thomas then criticizes Clark for remaining silent about the incident, lamenting that ‘our lives are being threatened.’
Angel Reese missed 10 of her 13 shots on Thursday night and was smacked in the face.
During the Atlanta Dream’s 104-69 victory over the Connecticut Sun, Reese had a run-in with Sun player Aaliyah Edwards in the second quarter.
Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream reacts during the first half of a WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Aug. 13, 2026. (Getty Images)
Reese attempted to make a layup while being double-teamed, and as she finally got the shot up, Edwards’ hand came down right on Reese’s face and head area.
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Edwards fell to the floor behind Reese after the smack. Reese, enraged, then turned, stood over Edwards and shouted at her.
Just moments later on the sideline, Reese was seen gesturing to indicate Edwards hit her in the neck.
Upon review, Edwards’ foul on Reese was upgraded to a Flagrant 1.
The foul was not addressed in the Dream’s postgame press conference.
But the foul wasn’t the only tough moment Reese faced on Thursday.
Early in the first quarter, Reese had a shot brutally rejected by Sun player Brittney Griner. Griner ended up blocking two more of Reese’s shots throughout the game.
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Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream blocks the shot of Brittney Griner #42 of the Connecticut Sun during a WNBA game on Aug. 13, 2026, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Reese finished the game with eight points, making just three of 13 shots, with two turnovers. However, she did have 15 rebounds, her specialty.
Flagrant fouls in the WNBA have become a national storyline in 2026. Other infamous fouls this year have included Alyssa Thomas’ throat punch on Caitlin Clark in June. Then, last Saturday, DiJonai Carrington smacked Sophie Cunningham in the face on a Cunningham layup attempt.
The WNBA is navigating an ongoing national controversy over incidents involving hard contact, and cultural discussions over trans athletes in women’s sports.
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Reese will represent Team USA alongside Clark at the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany in a few weeks, while the entire WNBA takes a break from the chaos.
