Caitlin Clark's rise has 'made Alyssa Thomas’ life better,' Christine Brennan says after fist incident

In this exclusive interview from Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich, veteran WNBA reporter Christine Brennan DEFENDS Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and condemns WNBA leadership following the shocking throat-punch controversy involving Alyssa Thomas.

Christine Brennan, a USA Today columnist and author of "ON HER GAME: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports," opened up about why the image of Phoenix Suns forward Alyssa Thomas’ first on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has resonated with sports fans.

The incident sparked a one-game suspension for Thomas and another discourse about the treatment Clark has received from her WNBA colleagues in the floor. In just her third season, Clark has been knocked around multiple times.

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Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas scrambles to get up over Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026. The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111-109. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Brennan appeared on OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich" and suggested the image of Thomas’ fist to Clark’s throat is "that big of a deal" because Clark’s popularity helped paved the way to help players like Thomas.

"Is the league going to speak out at all about the visual that will live with this league, I believe forever? I think that picture, the fist to the throat is that big of a deal. I wish it wasn’t racial. I wish it was (Marina) Mabrey or somebody so you can have it not be a racial conversation because in our polarized society, I hate that," Brennan said. "I wish that could be out of it and we can look at the fact that the face of the league, Caitlin