WNBA Team Bracing for Punishment After Indiana Fever Game

Game Recap: Fever Rally Past Mercury

• Phoenix jumped to a 30–20 first-quarter lead, with Thomas scoring eight points and Kahleah Copper adding seven.
• Indiana roared back in the second quarter, dropping 35 points, including a 13–0 run, to seize a 55–50 halftime edge. The Fever’s 35-point quarter tied for their fourth-best in franchise history.
• With star Caitlin Clark sidelined, Aari McDonald led the Fever with a career-high 27 points, while Aliyah Boston notched her fourth straight double-double with 22 points and 12 boards.
• DeWanna Bonner, who rejoined Phoenix on July 7 after being waived by Indiana earlier in the season, logged 21 minutes off the bench but shot just 1-for-4 from the field.

The Media Availability Breach

According to the WNBA’s 2025 Season Media Access Policy, each head coach plus two players (the team’s leading scorer and a key contributor) must be available to in-person and Zoom media no later than ten minutes after the final buzzer.

On Wednesday, Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts and Copper did appear in the clubhouse press conference, but Thomas did not emerge from the locker room.

League protocol leaves little wiggle room, and teams risk escalating fines for repeat infractions.

At press time, neither the Mercury organization nor the WNBA had issued a formal statement on Thomas’s absence or potential disciplinary action.

What's at Stake for Phoenix

While no formal punishment has been issued yet, fans are speculating it will look something similar to Angel Reese's recent fine.

Reese also did not make herself available to the media after the Chicago Sky's June 1 game against the Fever, receiving a $1,000 fine, while the organization was dealt a $5,000 fine.

This becomes a significant moment for several reasons:

• Integrity of Coverage: Media access policies ensure fans, sponsors and local outlets receive timely insights. A high-profile breach by a franchise cornerstone like Thomas sets a concerning precedent.
• Player Focus vs. Public Accountability: Elite athletes often have rigorous recovery and bonding routines postgame, but league rules balance player needs with public interest. How the WNBA adjudicates this incident could reshape those expectations.
• Team Reputation: As Phoenix pushes for a deep playoff run, organizational discipline and adherence to league standards signal professionalism. A fine (or worse) could distract a locker room with championship aspirations.
• Broader WNBA Narrative: In its landmark media deal era, the league is under a spotlight to demonstrate polished operations on and off the court. High-visibility slip-ups chip away at that narrative.

After closing out the loss to 16-10, the Mercury continue their road trip to face the Atlanta Dream on Friday and then Reese and the Sky on Sunday.

All eyes will be on how the WNBA punishes Thomas and, more intriguingly, if she honors her league-mandated media window when the buzzer sounds next time.