Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas says she has received death threats and racist abuse following her one-game ban for an incident with Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark.

Six-time All-Star Thomas appeared to knee point guard Clark in the groin and push a fist into her neck during a tussle for possession after Clark fell to the floor during the second quarter of Mecrury’s 111-109 victory in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) on Thursday.

No foul was called but Thomas was later suspended by the WNBA for “recklessly making contact with her fist to the throat area”.

On Tuesday she said it was a “complete accident” and that Mercury players are “being painted as thugs”.

She criticised WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not doing more to protect players against abuse.

Fever beat Mercury 88-77 two days earlier in a game marred by fouls and confrontations.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this over basketball,” Thomas said.

“A lot of us – myself included – didn’t even know the play took place until after the game.

“There’s death threats out on us. It’s really unacceptable. It’s really something that needs to change in this league and I’m just really sick and tired of it.

“People are sending racial slurs and all types of stuff. The hatred that we’re experiencing over a play that, honestly, was a complete accident…

“We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy. It’s no surprise. You could see what’s being said on social media. As usual she remains silent.

“That’s unfortunate when our lives our being threatened.”

In a statement, Engelbert said the WNBA “vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate” and the league’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of players.

Thomas served her suspension on Saturday as Mercury beat the Toronto Tempo.

Shortly after that incident with Thomas, Clark, who is one of the biggest women’s basketball stars of all time, was fouled during a three-pointer which led to an awkward landing.

She went off in the second half with a back injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

The officials reviewed the play, but it was for a potential hostile act by Clark for hitting a defender in the face, rather than for a foul on her.

After the game Fever head coach Stephanie White criticised referees for their “egregious” and “utterly disrespectful” officiating around Clark.

Mercury and Fever meet again on 9 July in Phoenix.