Does a real image show Alyssa Thomas smiling as she fouls Caitlin Clark during a WNBA game on June 22, 2026? No, that's not true: No video or photographic evidence shows Thomas smiling while over Clark. The image also originated from a video the original poster labeled as AI-generated.
The claim appeared in a post and image (archived here) by Kentucky Girl (@Notwokenow) on X on June 25, 2026. It read:
She really is smiling during this assault.
This is what the image included in the post looked like:
(Image source: post by @Notwokenow on X.)
This image comes from a video labeled as AI-generated by the original publisher. The post (archived here) by Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) on X, dated June 25, 2026, reads:
🚨 Targeted Attacks on Caitlin Clark Continue in the WNBA
When does this stop?
June 22 Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury game - Caitlin Clark (#22) assaulted on the floor: knee to groin, fist to ribs, fist/forearm to neck/throat as the Phoenix player (#25) gets up. These targeted hits on the league's biggest star have gone on way too long.
Enough is enough. Suspensions NOW for player safety and game integrity. Clark carries the spotlight - give her fair play, not cheap shots. Refs failing again.
Fans are fed up. WNBA, do better!
(Video: AI)
The fake video is embedded below:
🚨 Targeted Attacks on Caitlin Clark Continue in the WNBA
-- Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 25, 2026
When does this stop?
June 22 Fever vs. Phoenix Mercury game - Caitlin Clark (#22) assaulted on the floor: knee to groin, fist to ribs, fist/forearm to neck/throat as the Phoenix player (#25) gets up. These targeted hits... pic.twitter.com/9joLBiCGet
USA Network's coverage (archived here) of the game does not show Thomas smiling while her hand is on Clark's neck. At that point in the coverage, Thomas' face could not be seen at all as the camera zooms in. Thomas' hand was also clenched, not open, as the AI video shows. The images are side by side below:
(Image sources: USA Network and post by @Notwokenow on X.)
The clip (archived here), published by Bleacher Report on TikTok, shows that moment in the actual game and is embedded below:
@bleacherreport Alyssa Thomas getting physical with Caitlin 😳 #wnba #basketball #caitlin #alyssathomas ♬ original sound - bleacherreport
