Bryce Harper flips off Nationals fans after receiving a vulgar chant
Bryce Harper had a big one for his former fanbase this week.
The Philadelphia Phillies played Thursday against the NL East rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. During the ninth inning of the contest, the Phillies star Harper came up to bat with a runner on and nobody out in a 5-5 ballgame.
As Harper stepped up to the plate, Nationals fans were heard loudly chanting “F–k Bryce Harper!” The former NL MVP Harper then responded in kind by proceeding to hit a go-ahead two-run home run on the second pitch of the at-bat.
As he rounded the bases, Harper gave the finger to the Washington crowd. He also flashed another one-fingered salute to the Nationals fanbase right as he touched home plate.
Nationals fans were chanting “FU*K Bryce Harper” before his at bat
— Punchoutpitch (@Punchoutpitch) June 26, 2026
Harper hit a home run and flipped off the crowd twice pic.twitter.com/ZiLd5fIctR
Philadelphia trailed Washington 5-0 in the early stages of Thursday’s game. But they responded with a whopping 10 runs unanswered (including Harper’s ninth-inning bomb) to secure a 10-5 win and move to 45-36 on the season (fourth-best in the NL).
As for Harper, 33, he began his MLB career with the Nationals playing there from 2012-18. But he left to sign a monster 13-year, $330 million deal with the division rival Phillies in 2019 after an acrimonious contract negotiation with Washington. While the Nationals did go on to win a World Series without Harper in 2019, their fans still do not care much for the eight-time All-Star. On Thursday however, Harper was able to have some fun right back at them.
Basketball Hall of Famer may be out at NBC after 1 season
NBC may be shaking up their NBA coverage team after just one season.
Retired Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady spoke Thursday with Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports. During the interview, McGrady, who worked as a studio analyst for NBC last season, revealed that he was only on a one-year deal with the network and is unsure if he will be back.
“I give ourselves a B+,” McGrady said of his group’s overall performance for NBC. “And we have a lot of room to improve. I only did a one-year deal, so we’ll see how that goes moving forward. But I would love to be back with the camp.”
Now 47 years old, McGrady was a seven-time NBA All-Star and a two-time scoring champion who played from 1997-2013. After his retirement, McGrady was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
McGrady now has a full decade of media experience and first began as a studio analyst for ESPN in 2016. He then joined NBC in 2025 and worked with Maria Taylor, Carmelo Anthony, and his cousin Vince Carter as the network’s pre- and post-game team.
Viewers had mixed feelings this past season about McGrady, who did well enough in his role but also delivered some zany takes on the air. Now it appears McGrady could be looking for a new media employer (though he did also recently land a notable job in college basketball).
Surprising WNBA player ties the all-time single-game scoring record
One WNBA player had her Bam Adebayo moment this week.
Toronto Tempo shooting guard Marina Mabrey put together the game of her life against the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night. Mabrey erupted for 53 points at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto, Ont., tying the WNBA’s all-time single-game scoring record.
The 29-year-old Mabrey shot 17/28 from the field (including 9/18 from three) and 10/12 from the free throw line. Mabrey capped off the night by hitting a three-pointer in transition with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter to tie the record.
MARINA MABREY. 53 POINTS.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 26, 2026
TIES THE WNBA SINGLE-GAME RECORD.pic.twitter.com/o71K5oG1z3
Few would have had Mabrey tying the record that was originally set by Liz Cambage in 2018 and then tied by A’ja Wilson in 2023. After all, Mabrey has played for five different teams in her WNBA career and has never once made an All-Star team or won a WNBA championship.
On top of that, Mabrey is on the Tempo because they selected her in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft. Previously with the Connecticut Sun, Mabrey was not one of the five players whom the Sun elected to protect in the draft and was thus free for selection by Toronto.
Last season, Mabrey was mostly only known for being the player who shoved down Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark during a game. But now Mabrey, who entered play on Thursday averaging a career-high 19.4 points per game for the Tempo this season, has certainly made a new name for herself with her historic performance.
Knicks are not expected to bring back 2 notable players from their title team
The New York Knicks may now be coming back to reality after their NBA championship victory.
New York is not expected to bring back center Mitchell Robinson or guard Landry Shamet this offseason, Shams Charania of ESPN reported this week. Charania noted that the Knicks are trying to stay under the second apron of the luxury tax, which would effectively spell the end for both of those players in New York.
The seven-footer Robinson, 28, and the sharpshooter Shamet, 29, both played impactful roles for the Knicks during their 2026 championship run. The former was the team’s go-to rebounder and shot-blocker behind Karl-Anthony Towns and the latter was a tremendous floor-spacer, shooting a scalding 47.5 percent from three in the playoffs.
But both players are now set to be unrestricted free agents this summer. Knicks owner James Dolan also recently said rather bluntly that he does not intend to go into the second apron for next season.
Shamet has been a Knick since 2024. But we did hear even in the middle of the NBA Finals that he was expected to draw heavy free agent interest this offseason.
Meanwhile, Robinson is by far the longest-tenured player on the Knicks (since 2018) and is very beloved by the local fanbase. Though a previous report suggested that the Knicks were leaning towards keeping Robinson, they may now be drawing a line in the sand thanks to how prohibitive the second apron is.
Timberwolves standout had car stolen from his Los Angeles home
One Minnesota Timberwolves player is having a very confusing week.
Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels had his car stolen from his Los Angeles, Calif. home this week. NBC4 Los Angeles reports that McDaniels walked outside of his residence on Wednesday morning to find his 2022 Dodge Charger missing from his parking space.
McDaniels then reportedly proceeded to visit an LAPD station on Thursday morning in order to file a police report. No arrests have been reported up to this point however.
NBC4 adds that law enforcement sources do not believe that McDaniels was targeted in the theft. You can read their full report on the situation here.
McDaniels, the 25-year-old former first-round pick, has blossomed into one of the best two-way role players in the entire NBA. He was an All-Defensive selection in 2024, and then his offense came around as well this past season (as McDaniels averaged a career-high 14.8 points and 2.7 assists per game in a small-usage role).
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are undergoing a lot of changes this week after trading Julius Randle to an Eastern Conference team and then also trading away Naz Reid as part of a large blockbuster deal for LaMelo Ball. While that means the 6-foot-9 McDaniels will have to be playing a lot of power forward next season, he has a more pressing personal property matter to attend to for the immediate time being.
Report: Lakers had their price for Austin Reaves driven up by 1 team
The Los Angeles Lakers apparently paid far more than they wanted to in order to retain Austin Reaves.
The Lakers re-signed their homegrown star Reaves to a monster four-year, $185 million deal earlier this week. The humongous contract even ended up setting a notable all-time NBA record.
But that was not the price that the Lakers wanted to pay for Reaves. Speaking Thursday on “Get Up,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed that the Lakers had their price for Reaves get driven up by the Detroit Pistons.
Windhorst said that the Lakers originally offered Reaves a contract for around $30 million per year. However, the Lakers were reportedly forced within some 24 hours to increase their offer to that ultimate figure of over $46 million per year because the Pistons were already priming a max offer of their own for Reaves.
Indeed, Detroit was lining up their ducks for Reaves and even ended up trading away one prominent player in a salary dump to create some more cap space. But the Lakers then moved quickly to increase their offer to Reaves, apparently before the Pistons got a chance to tender their offer.
Reaves is obviously a big winner here, and his girlfriend even captured the exact moment that Reaves learned about his historic contract. But now the Lakers, who are also paying Luka Doncic around $53.5 million per season, are in a very tough position financially and may not be able to materially improve their roster otherwise this offseason (or to re-sign LeBron James, who was recently the subject of an interesting sign-and-trade scenario).
Matthew Stafford talked to Tom Brady about playing into his 40s
Matthew Stafford is taking his career year-to-year, but he has at least chatted with some of the longest-lasting quarterbacks in NFL history about playing into his 40s.
Stafford said in a new edition of the “Green Light” podcast that he still takes retirement year-to-year since he is never completely sure how he will feel at the end of a season. However, he has consulted with both Tom Brady and Drew Brees about playing into one’s 40s.
“I talked to [Brady] a little bit, I’ve talked to Drew Brees a little bit about it as well,” Stafford said, via Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. “It is year-to-year because I think it’s fair to the team, I think it’s fair to me, my family — I don’t want to sit there and say, OK, 24 months from now, I’ve got to be ready to play another football season. I’m like, phew, that just seems like a lot.
“I was talking to Drew — this was before last season — and he was like, ‘How old are you, again?’ I was like, ‘I’m 37.’ He’s like, ‘You might have your best five years of your career coming up.’ And I was like, ‘Huh.’ I never really thought about it that way.”
Stafford is still just 38, so if he wants to play into his 40s, he has several years to go. The fact that he has given it though, however, suggests that it is not totally out of the realm of possibility. The Rams certainly think as much, even though they drafted Ty Simpson as his potential successor in April.
Stafford has shown few signs of slowing down. He threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns last season and has been able to stay healthy. Nobody should put it past him to be successful for a few more years.
Timberwolves are determined not to trade 1 player
The Minnesota Timberwolves are poised to be one of the most active teams in the NBA’s offseason, but there is one player on their roster they appear very determined to hold onto.
While the Timberwolves have other moves in the work, they are not trading guard Donte DiVincenzo, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. Minnesota is focused on adding another power forward, as well as some more shooting.
The Wolves do still have other moves in the works. They need a power forward and they need more shooting. I am told that they are not trading Donte DiVincenzo. The work continues.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 25, 2026
On the surface, DiVincenzo makes sense as a trade candidate. He is likely to miss a good portion of next season after tearing his Achilles in the playoffs, and is entering the final season of his current contract. Evidently, however, the Timberwolves believe he will be able to make a full recovery and want to keep him beyond next year.
DiVincenzo was an important player for the Timberwolves last season when healthy. He averaged 12.2 points and 1.3 steals per game while playing in all 82 regular season contests.
The Timberwolves have already made one big trade to start the summer, and even parted ways with fan favorite Naz Reid to make it happen. That should be an indicator of just how highly they value DiVincenzo.
Caleb Williams’ controversial trademark application has been denied
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has, at least for now, failed in his effort to trademark his controversial nickname.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has refused Williams’ attempt to trademark “Iceman,” according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN. The denial had nothing to do with George Gervin, however, but was instead refused because LaCrosse Footwear trademarked the term in 1988 for insulated boots, and Williams’ plans to sell Iceman apparel created a “likelihood of confusion.”
Williams sought to trademark the “Iceman” nickname in March. Gervin, an NBA legend who has long gone by the same nickname, responded by trying to trademark it himself, though that application is still pending.
The quarterback responded to critics of the move by saying he was simply protecting his business interests, and was not trying to steal or tarnish Gervin’s legacy.
Williams, 24, gained the “Iceman” nickname amidst his stellar play for the Bears last season. The former No. 1 draft overall pick led Chicago to their first playoff victory since 2010 and notably began doing an ice-themed celebration following touchdown passes. He has the right to appeal the ruling, though it is not yet clear if he will.
WNBA announces discipline over Caitlin Clark controversy
The WNBA agreed with the Indiana Fever that Caitlin Clark was on the wrong end of a bad missed call on Wednesday.
The league announced Thursday that Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas would be suspended one game and assessed a flagrant 2 foul for striking Clark in the throat during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, In. The league said Thomas “recklessly (made) contact with her fist to the throat area” of Clark, which was deemed a non-basketball act.
Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas Receives Flagrant Foul 2 Penalty and a One-Game Suspension pic.twitter.com/VnDF8M3SXQ
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms) June 25, 2026
Somehow, no foul was called on the play during the game (video here). That only furthered the notion that Clark gets a raw deal from the league and its officials, and the Fever were furious both during and after the game over the no-call.
As is the case in the NBA, the WNBA can go back and look at incidents that were not punished during a game and retroactively assess a flagrant foul and a suspension. That is what the league did here, though it came too late for Indiana’s liking.
Indeed, there has even been a perception that the league is needlessly harsh on Clark, as evidenced by her technical foul troubles. They had no choice but to step in and punish Thomas in this instance.
Jay Williams addresses ‘uncomfortable’ NBA Draft exchange with Richard Jefferson
ESPN’s Jay Williams admitted that his on-air exchange with Richard Jefferson during Tuesday’s NBA Draft coverage was every bit as awkward as it looked.
Jefferson made questionable jokes about the motorcycle crash that ended Williams’ NBA career during ABC’s draft telecast on Tuesday. After video was shown of fans cheering Williams being selected second overall in the 2002 NBA Draft, Jefferson made a rather cruel joke.
“They also didn’t see the future coming, so they were cheering kind of pre-emptively,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson wasn’t done there, adding that Williams’ motorcycle crash showed that “everybody that goes to Duke isn’t that smart.”
Richard Jefferson: They also didn't see the future coming, so they were cheering kinda preemptively
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 24, 2026
Jay Williams: Wow
Kenny Smith: His career trajectory would've been a lot different if he didn't like motorcycles
RJ: I guess everybody that goes to Duke isn't that smart… pic.twitter.com/jrw8tPWnuo
In an interview with Ben Horney of Front Office Sports, Williams said there was “no real tension” on the set as a result of the exchange, but it was certainly awkward.
“For me, it was extremely uncomfortable,” Williams admitted.
A year after being drafted, Williams’ NBA career was ended by a serious motorcycle injury that caused a fractured pelvis and severe injuries to one of the nerves in his leg.
Jefferson’s decision to make fun of that in the moment felt needlessly personal and very mean-spirited, even if it was intended as a joke. While he is no stranger to poking the bear, so to speak, this seemed to cross a line.
Kawhi Leonard would only re-sign with 2 teams if traded
Kawhi Leonard’s future with the Los Angeles Clippers remains in some doubt, but interested teams will have to be wary of being able to secure a long-term commitment from him.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Thursday that the Toronto Raptors have interest in Leonard, and that the Raptors and San Antonio Spurs are the only teams Leonard would consider signing a new contract with. Not coincidentally, those are the two other teams Leonard has played for during his career.
While Kawhi Leonard’s preference is to remain with the Clippers, league sources say the two-time Finals MVP would be open to signing an extension with Toronto, amid the Raptors’ own interest in reuniting with Leonard.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 25, 2026
Full story here: https://t.co/3cXkUpMI6X https://t.co/09GoDmoZYb
This is bad news for some of the other teams who have been linked to Leonard. The veteran forward is entering the final season of his three-year contract and can become a free agent next summer.
By all accounts, the Clippers want to keep Leonard, and Leonard does not want to leave. Still, that contract status is looming over both sides, and the team will be forced to make a tough decision if Leonard does not commit in the next few months.
Leonard and the Clippers may also be forcibly separated depending on the results of the NBA’s ongoing investigation into potential salary cap circumvention.
LaVar Ball reveals big personal news about him and his wife Tina
LaVar Ball revealed big personal news about him and his wife Tina during an interview with a popular YouTube creator.
Ball was interviewed by YouTube personality N3on for a video that was published on Wednesday. In the video, Ball revealed that he and Tina have separated.
“Even with my wife. Tina decided to go her own way. That’s why you don’t see her right here,” Ball told N3on. “She wanted to go do something else, that’s fine with me. We had our run. We had our run.”
Ball indicated that Tina initiated the split. He says he has since “found someone else,” though he kept the identity of his new girlfriend private.
“No need to worry,” he told N3on in response to a question about the new woman’s identity.
LaVar Ball revealed to N3on that his wife Tina Ball have split ways with each other and filed for divorce after 30 years 💔
— yoxic (@yoxics) June 25, 2026
"she wanted to go do something else that's fine with me we had our run.. it is what it is" pic.twitter.com/e1kCwAsYwc
LaVar and Tina were married in 1997 and were together around 30 years. They had three sons together — LiAngelo, LaMelo and Lonzo. LaMelo was just traded to a new team.
LaVar had his foot and part of his leg amputated last year after ignoring a health issue. He now walks around on a prosthetic right leg.
1 former NBA All-Star is almost certain to be traded
One former NBA All-Star is seen as virtually certain to be traded this offseason.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant “couldn’t be more available” in trade talks, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Teams are reluctant to make a deal for Morant, however, due to the two remaining years on his contract.
“If Ja had one year left on his contract, I think he would have been traded months ago,” Windhorst said. “That is a reasonable risk. He is super motivated to have a big-time year. But he’s got two years on his contract. If you trade for him and it doesn’t work out, you’re left with an unpalatable amount of risk.
“I don’t know how it’s going to work out, but I just can’t see him playing for the Grizzlies again.”
Ja Morant is “flagrantly available” in trade talks, but his 2-year contract is making teams hesitant to take on the risk, per @WindhorstESPN
— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) June 25, 2026
"I just can't see him playing for the Grizzlies again."
(Via @UnSportsESPN) pic.twitter.com/yyN6nTXyFW
A Morant trade has been regularly rumored for months, even though nothing has actually happened yet. He has roughly $87 million left on his contract. As Windhorst noted, that is worth it if he can regain All-NBA status or something close to it, but it is an expensive flop if not.
Injuries limited Morant to 20 games last season and have been an ongoing issue for the guard. More concerningly, his numbers were down in 2024-25, as he averaged just 19.5 points per game even when he was healthy. He could certainly benefit from a change of scenery, though the risks are obvious.
One team seems to have emerged as the frontrunner for Morant, even though no deal has been done yet.
Dalton Rushing responds after showing up Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing had a bit of a meltdown during Wednesday’s game after he showed up Shohei Ohtani.
Rushing was catching Ohtani Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn., but things went awry in the second inning. The two got crossed up on a pitch which led to a run, and later in the inning, Ohtani challenged a pitch that was called a ball. Rushing visibly reacted to the challenge and shook his head in disapproval, but Ohtani turned out to be right.
Shohei's had enough of these non-challenges from Rushing. pic.twitter.com/K1uFNycp7t
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 25, 2026
After the inning, manager Dave Roberts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, and team mental skills coach Brent Walker could all be seen sitting with Rushing in the dugout. The catcher was definitely being hard on himself and even slapped himself in the head a few times.
Dalton Rushing is not pleased with himself pic.twitter.com/nidYX2jhZm
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 25, 2026
“I didn’t do a great job start to finish. It was pretty embarrassing. Thankfully he’s as good as he is and he can take control of a game,” Rushing told reporters after the game. “They always have my back. It’s embarrassing that I need support like that. I’m a grown man.”
On top of his obvious issues with Ohtani, Rushing went 0-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts. The 25-year-old has been pressed into regular catching duty since Will Smith went on the IL, but is just 2 for his last 20 at the plate.
This is not the first time Rushing’s grasp of the strike zone has shown itself to be lacking. He has also caused controversy this season through some of the things he has said and done to opposing players. Now that he crossed a line with his own teammates, one has to wonder if he will get the message and tone things down moving forward.
Austin Reaves’ girlfriend captures the moment he learned about his historic contract
Austin Reaves just hit a hole-in-one in life.
Reaves will continue his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers for years to come after securing a massive contract extension with the Western Conference franchise on Wednesday.
Apparently, Reaves learned that the deal had been agreed to while he was out on the golf course. His girlfriend, Jenna Barber, snapped a photo of him lying on the grass, seemingly in disbelief over the contract his agents pulled off.
Here is the photo from one of the best days of Reaves’ life.
This photo was taken by his girlfriend, capturing Reaves’ reaction on the golf course Wednesday. “That's the picture of a dude that gets more opportunities to win a chip in L.A.,” the source close to Reaves told ESPN. https://t.co/IrWbxlXwX0
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 24, 2026
Reaves reportedly landed a 4-year, $185 million deal to stay with the Lakers. It is the largest contract ever awarded to an undrafted player. To pave the way for the deal, Reaves declined his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season and is now set to continue building his legacy with the Lakers.
The former Oklahoma Sooners star did not hear his name called during the 2021 NBA Draft before signing a two-way contract with the Lakers.
From there, Reaves capitalized on every opportunity that came his way. Over the last two seasons, he averaged 21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists, while shooting 37% from 3-point distance and emerging as one of the Lakers’ primary scoring options behind LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
LaMelo Ball stunningly traded to Western Conference team
LaMelo Ball is headed to the Western Conference.
The Charlotte Hornets pulled the trigger on a trade Thursday, sending the talented point guard to the Minnesota Timberwolves, via Shams Charania of ESPN.
Ball and Josh Green are both going to Minnesota in exchange for big man Naz Reid, a protected first-pick in 2033, three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, plus three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading star guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033), sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/lkhXBWHCrA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2026
Charania provided some sort of a trailer for this blockbuster trade just after the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, when he reported that the Hornets are engaged in trade talks centered on Ball. It did not take long before the actual trade happened, with Ball about to start a new chapter in his NBA career.
With the Timberwolves, Ball will be running a formidable partnership with four-time NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards. This trade also puts the No. 1 and No. 3 picks in the 2020 NBA Draft not just on the same team but on the same backcourt. With Ball, the Timberwolves finally get a real solution at point guard. Green, meanwhile, is throwaway in the transaction, given his expiring contract.
In six seasons with the Hornets, Ball averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds through 303 games (208 starts).
Kahleah Copper appears to get back at Sophie Cunningham with a pointed gesture
Kahleah Copper knew exactly what to do after the Phoenix Mercury defeated Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever on Wednesday.
Two days after losing to the Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., the Mercury returned to the same venue and edged Indiana, 111-109.
There was some drama going into that contest, as Caitlin Clark was called for a technical foul in the previous meeting on Monday after a heated exchange with Mercury veteran DeWanna Bonner. Sophie Cunningham also got into it with Bonner, comically pointing her finger at her former Fever teammate while Bonner, in contrast, appeared visibly enraged.
Here is a look at that moment.
Sophie Cunningham and DeWanna Bonner get into it next!pic.twitter.com/Ku8LNurCwr
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 23, 2026
After Wednesday’s game, Copper seemingly tried to pull off the same move in sarcastic fashion when she saw a camera while making her way to the locker room.
Kahleah Copper after tonight's win vs. the Fever
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 25, 2026
(via @PhoenixMercury) pic.twitter.com/6x3PlY0EVo
Whatever Copper meant with that gesture, it was what she did on the court that hurt Cunnigham and the Fever the most. The 31-year-old guard dropped 28 points, going 6/10 from the floor, while benefiting from her several trips to the free throw line, where she went 15/16.
Meanwhile, Cunningham did not have a great night, scoring only 5 points and committing 3 turnovers.
Copper may have the last laugh here, but the two teams will meet anew in just a couple of weeks on July 10 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., giving Cunningham and the Fever a chance to take the bragging rights back.
Video: Caitlin Clark takes a painful shot to the throat during a wild sequence
It was another rough day in the office for Caitlin Clark.
During Wednesday’s game between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., Caitlin Clark appeared to take a shot to the throat from Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.
It happened with 6:52 left in the second quarter, as Clark went to the ground while trying to get close to the basket. Thomas and teammate DeWanna Bonner ended up on top of the former Iowa Hawkeyes star, with Thomas’ arm appearing to make contact with Clark’s neck. Thomas even stepped over the Fever guard.
Surprisingly, no foul was called, and play continued.
Here is a look at that sequence.
Alyssa Thomas with the punch to Caitlin Clark’s throat
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) June 25, 2026
No foul on the play pic.twitter.com/aX7p5CtiGO
This latest incident further fuels the notion that Clark has a big target on her back around the WNBA. Frustration is also growing within the Fever over the treatment Clark is receiving from officials, who did not call a foul on Thomas for the play.
It even got worse for Clark later in the contest, as she exited the game in the second half after a dangerous closeout from Phoenix defender Valeriane Ayayi after a 3-point attempt. Ayayi was called for a foul, but it was not upgraded to a flagrant one.
Clark managed to come up with a solid production despite the game’s physicality, scoring 19 points on 5/9 shooting from the floor and 6/6 from the foul line, but she was unable to help her team down the stretch. Phoenix took the win, 111-109, to even the regular-season series at 1-1.
Todd Monken sent a warning to Lamar Jackson after Browns hire
Lamar Jackson and Todd Monken used to go to war together with the Baltimore Ravens. That will no longer be the case, beginning in the 2026 NFL season, with Monken accepting a job to become the head coach of the Ravens’ AFC North rivals Cleveland Browns.
With Monken staying in the division, he is guaranteed to face his former team at least twice each season going forward, and that involves finding ways to slow down the ultra-talented Jackson, who received a friendly warning from the former Baltimore offensive coordinator.
After he was hired by the Browns, Monken said Jackson congratulated him via text. Monken appreciates the gesture, but he also knows it is now a different world for both of them.
“Then I said, ‘go f— yourself,’” Monken said of his reply to the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, via Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. “We are going to blitz you every third down. He laughed.”
Following a stint with the Georgia Bulldogs’ coaching staff, Monken returned to the NFL in 2023 to become the Ravens’ offensive coordinator. Under Monken, Jackson won his second MVP. Now, the 60-year-old Browns head coach will look to give Cleveland a spark — but without the luxury of having a quarterback of Jackson’s caliber.
Monken and his Browns are scheduled to take on the Ravens in Week 6 of the 2026 season at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Then in Week 16, the Ravens will host Cleveland at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md.
