{"id":2619488,"date":"2026-06-26T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/phoenix-mercury-post-cartoon-of-injured-caitlin-clark-then-delete-as-world-responds-in-disgust\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T11:01:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:01:09","slug":"phoenix-mercury-post-cartoon-of-injured-caitlin-clark-then-delete-as-world-responds-in-disgust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/phoenix-mercury-post-cartoon-of-injured-caitlin-clark-then-delete-as-world-responds-in-disgust\/","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix Mercury Post Cartoon of Injured Caitlin Clark, Then Delete as World Responds in Disgust"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fphoenix-mercury-post-cartoon-of-injured-caitlin-clark-then-delete-as-world-responds-in-disgust%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2619488&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the article discusses an incident involving caitlin clark of the Indiana Fever during a WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury. alyssa Thomas of the mercury struck Clark in the throat with a closed fist near the end of the game, which led to her receiving a Flagrant Foul 2 and a one-game suspension. The WNBA condemned the action as reckless,emphasizing the danger and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/censored-for-taking-a-stand-eventbrite-cancels-event-against-child-mutilation-with-detransitioner-chloe-cole\/\" title=\"Eventbrite cancels event against child mutilation featuring Chloe Cole, citing censorship.\">potential life-altering consequences<\/a> of neck injuries. <\/p>\n<p>Following the incident, the Mercury posted a cartoon mocking Clark&#8217;s injury on social media, which was later deleted amid widespread criticism. The team faced calls for sanctions, and notable figures like Dave Portnoy criticized their behavior, calling them cowards for removing the post. The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >controversy gained additional attention<\/a> because the Mercury&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/two-dead-in-shooting-at-south-carolina-state-university\/\" title=\"Two dead in shooting at South Carolina State University\">social media post appeared<\/a> to mock a racial attack on Clark, with some pointing out the jersey number in the cartoon matched DeWanna Bonner\u2019s, adding to the confusion. <\/p>\n<p>the incident has drawn important attention to sportsmanship, social media conduct, and the league\u2019s handling of player conduct and team responses, amid a period of increased publicity and viewership for the WNBA.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Indiana Fever\u2019s Caitlin Clark continues to be a target of scorn in the WNBA, this time courtesy of the Phoenix Mercury\u2019s official account on social media platform X.<\/p>\n<p>Wednesday saw the Fever and Mercury face off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Mercury\u2019s Alyssa Thomas plunged a closed fist into Clark\u2019s neck at the horn as she was getting off the ground.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas subsequently received a Flagrant Foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension. The WNBA described her actions as \u201crecklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The WNBA\u2019s<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wnba.com\/news\/alyssa-thomas-one-game-suspension\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> statement<\/a> from Thursday reads, \u201cThe incident, for which Thomas was deemed to have committed a non-basketball act, occurred with 6:52 remaining in the second quarter of the Mercury\u2019s 111-109 win over the Fever last night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPer WNBA rule, the League Office has the option, following its review of any game, to reclassify a Flagrant foul or to classify as Flagrant any foul not called as such during a game and may impose a fine and\/or suspension.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThomas will serve her suspension on June 27, when the Mercury visit the Toronto Tempo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Mercury decided to lean into the controversy as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/outkick-sports\/mercury-deleted-social-media-post-mocking-fever-caitlin-clark-injury\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Outkick<\/a> reports the team posted a cartoon making fun of a downed Clark.<\/p>\n<p>The post has since been taken down, but not before other X users could screenshot it.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">BREAKING \u2013 The WNBA is facing mass calls to sanction and fine the Phoenix Mercury after the team made a post mocking what viewers are calling a racially motivated attack against Caitlin Clark last night at the hands of one of their black players. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LVXaxR5yMW\">pic.twitter.com\/LVXaxR5yMW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Rightanglenews\/status\/2070183784847216725?\">June 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The phrasing \u201cde-wanna piece of this\u201d is in reference to the Mercury\u2019s DeWanna Bonner, who also created a buzz after an altercation with the Fever\u2019s Sophie Cunningham.<\/p>\n<p>The post is confusing on the one hand given the cartoon is clearly supposed to be a downed Clark, but the jersey number reads 24 on purple, which is Bonner\u2019s number.<\/p>\n<p>Outkick asked the Mercury about the authenticity of the post \u2014 whether it was from someone working for the team \u2014 and if they thought it was appropriate. They did not get a reply.<\/p>\n<p>Outkick also said it reached out to the WNBA and the Fever, but neither replied before the outlet\u2019s deadline.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s tasteless to say the least.<\/p>\n<p>Putting your fist in someone\u2019s throat is not a shove or a trip.<\/p>\n<p>Under a different angle, this can be fatal. Neck injuries are career-altering for athletes, and more importantly, life-altering.<\/p>\n<p>The team that made the post also caused the injury.<\/p>\n<p>Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy chastised the organization, calling them cowards for not standing by it.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Breaking: The cowards at <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PhoenixMercury?\">@PhoenixMercury<\/a> deleted the post making fun of CC getting throat punched by Alyssa Thomas. If you\u2019re gonna ruin the golden goose at least stand by it. COWARDS<\/p>\n<p>DELETED <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aCEkmib64Q\">pic.twitter.com\/aCEkmib64Q<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/stoolpresidente\/status\/2070249500036280459?\">June 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The WNBA has more publicity than they\u2019ve had in over a decade.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/outkick-sports\/wnba-wants-bigger-story-caitlin-clark-tv-ratings-keep-pointing-back\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Outkick<\/a> cited Sports Media Watch\u2019s finding that Clark\u2019s rookie year in 2024 gave the league a seven-figure audience for the first time in 16 years.<\/p>\n<p>The organization is risking that boon \u2014 and Clark\u2019s safety \u2014 by allowing this behavior to continue.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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