The nominees for the 2026 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards were announced on Thursday. Several fans reacted to Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas being one of the finalists for the Best WNBA Player.
According to the awards show produced by ESPN, it will honor the player voted the best in the preceding season. Other nominees for this year’s ESPYs are the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson, the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and the Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray.
All four nominees were part of the 2025 All-WNBA First Team, with Wilson being named the league MVP.
Several fans shared their reaction on X, with many mentioning Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
“Are you kidding me!! Now i know 100 % you are a Caitlin Clark hater. This whole garbage ass league is racist. Caitlin is the only reason 44 games are being televised . The Only reason the WNBA made a profit . Now yall are treating her like crap,” one fan tweeted.
“Thomas? He ain’t nothing but a skilless thug and He busted up Pheesa’s ankles! You need to drop Him from the list to have any sort of credibility! Sheesh!” another fan said.
Here are other reactions:
Clark won the Best WNBA Player award at the 2025 ESPYs, which was based on the 2024 season. Wilson, who is once again nominated this year, has already won the award in 2023 and 2024.
WNBA suspends Alyssa Thomas for hitting Caitlin Clark’s throat
A play involving Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark during the Phoenix Mercury’s 111-109 win over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday was much talked about on social media.
About midway through the second quarter, Clark drove toward the basket, and several players fought for the loose ball. In the scramble, Thomas’ fist hit the neck and throat area of Clark, who was on the floor.
No foul was called during the game, but the WNBA announced Thursday that Thomas received a flagrant foul 2 and a one-game suspension. Per the league, the Mercury star “recklessly” made contact with the Fever star.
Thomas will serve her suspension on Saturday’s game against the expansion Toronto Tempo.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
