WNBA to Punish Alyssa Thomas After Phoenix Mercury Loss

Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury saw their three-game winning streak come to an end after losing to the Chicago Sky on Tuesday, 77-66.

The Mercury struggled offensively throughout the game, making just 37% of their shots from the field. In particular, they went 7-of-24 from 3-point range.

Kahleah Copper led Phoenix in scoring with 25 points, while DeWanna Bonner added 12 points and seven rebounds. Thomas, for her part, chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

One of the biggest difference-makers in the game was bench scoring, with Chicago's bench outscoring Phoenix's second unit 25-9.

As if losing wasn't enough, Thomas also received some bad news during the game. The referees assessed her a technical foul in the second quarter after she complained about a foul called on her.

It was Thomas' fourth technical foul of the season, which means the WNBA is now set to fine her $1,000.

According to the WNBA's rules, the first three technical fouls each carry a $500 fine, while the fourth through seventh each carry a $1,000 fine. Every tech after that is punishable by a $1,500 fine and a one-game suspension.

A player also receives a warning letter from the WNBA after their fifth technical foul.

Thomas most recently served a one-game suspension due to her hit on Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark during a June 24 game. During that contest, the Mercury forward made contact with Clark's throat with her fist while the Fever guard was down.

No foul was called on the play, but the WNBA reviewed it and retroactively upgraded it to a Flagrant 2 foul.

That being said, Thomas will need to be more careful since she's nearing both the technical foul limit and the flagrant points limit.

Related: Caitlin Clark Sends Clear Message to WNBA Referees After Alyssa Thomas Incident

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 8:08 AM.