NBA's Adam Silver pushed WNBA commissioner to suspend Alyssa Thomas for Caitlin Clark throat jab: report

Former WNBA All-star Katie Douglas emphasizes the need for change, noting the increased physicality Clark faces and distinguishing fouls from normal contact. Her comments follow the House GOP's call for WNBA intervention to protect the star player.

When Alyssa Thomas put a fist to the throat of Caitlin Clark, she was not punished in the immediate aftermath.

She ultimately was given a one-game suspension and a Flagrant 2 foul after the WNBA conducted a review, but that apparently was almost not the case.

According to the Sports Business Journal, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was not planning on suspending Thomas but was ultimately convinced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

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Caitlin Clark watches the action during the Indiana Fever's highly anticipated matchup with the Las Vegas Aces.  (David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Engelbert was reportedly worried that a suspension for a play that was not called on the court was too harsh a penalty. However, Silver said there was evidence of a flagrant foul and implored Engelbert to hand down the punishment.

The outlet reported that the league operated under usual protocols for potential flagrant fouls. However, it also said Engelbert does not want to show favoritism toward Clark because of her popularity while also trying to "appease players who believe they’ve been overshadowed by" her. On the flip side, the SBJ said Engelbert has not been to an Indiana Fever game since Clark was drafted.

The WNBA told SBJ that the report is "absolutely false" - neither league immediately responded to an email from Fox News Digital.

HOST CLAIMS WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT CANCELED INTERVIEW AS CAITLIN CLARK CONTROVERSY MOUNTS

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