The WNBA has fined Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas $1,000. The penalty stems from a technical foul assessed during Sunday’s 85-70 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, the league announced Monday.
Thomas received the technical with 1:40 left in the third quarter. She was ejected from the game after arguing the call with referee Tiara Cruse.
The 2023 MVP runner-up finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists before the ejection. The Sun fell to 13-7 with the loss.
Contractual and Performance Context
Thomas is playing under a one-year, $200,000 contract for the 2024 season, per Spotrac. The $1,000 fine represents 0.5% of her base salary. She is averaging 14.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game this season.
This is Thomas’s second technical foul of the season. The WNBA imposes escalating fines for multiple infractions: $200 for the first, $400 for the second, $800 for the third, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense, per league policy.
League’s Disciplinary Record
The WNBA has issued a total of 47 technical fouls across the 2024 season through July 15, according to league data. Thomas joins a group of seven players who have received two or more technicals this season.
Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White declined to comment on the ejection after the game, citing league policy against discussing officiating decisions.
Thomas is expected to be available for the Sun’s next game against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was Alyssa Thomas fined $1,000 by the WNBA?
- A: Alyssa Thomas was fined $1,000 for a technical foul she received during the Connecticut Sun’s 85-70 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday. She was ejected after arguing the call with referee Tiara Cruse.
- Q: How many technical fouls has Alyssa Thomas received this season?
- A: This is Thomas’s second technical foul of the 2024 WNBA season. The league imposes escalating fines: $200 for the first, $400 for the second, $800 for the third, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.
- Q: Will Alyssa Thomas play in the Sun’s next game after the ejection?
- A: Yes, Thomas is expected to be available for the Connecticut Sun’s next game against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday, as no suspension was announced.
Extended Reading
Thomas’s technical foul and fine follow a broader WNBA disciplinary trend this season. The league has faced increased scrutiny over officiating consistency, particularly in high-stakes matchups. Fox News reported on July 17 that officials are under pressure to maintain tighter control over player conduct, with 12 technicals issued in the past week alone. The AOL report on Thomas’s fine noted that the $1,000 penalty is the maximum allowable under the current collective bargaining agreement for a single technical foul.
