There are hard fouls…

There are playoff fouls…

And then there’s whatever Alyssa Thomas thought she was auditioning for Wednesday night.

Seriously… for a second I thought I accidentally changed the channel from the WNBA to WWE Monday Night Raw.

The referees somehow missed Thomas planting a fist right into Caitlin Clark’s throat. Missed it! That’s impressive. At this point these refs couldn’t find Waldo if he was wearing a neon orange jersey standing at center court waving both arms.

Thankfully, the WNBA office apparently owns a television.

After reviewing the play, the league suspended Thomas for one game and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, calling the contact “reckless.”

Translation?

“Yeah… we probably should’ve called that.”

Better late than never, I guess.

Now enter former NFL star Patrick Peterson, who had the perfect football mentality.

He basically said, “Don’t waste your energy talking. When Phoenix shows up again… bury them on the scoreboard.”

And honestly?

That’s exactly how legends respond.

You don’t throw punches.

You throw daggers.

You don’t get revenge with your fists.

You hang 35 points, hit eight threes, wave goodbye, and make everyone in the arena regret giving you bulletin-board material.

That’s the kind of revenge that lasts forever.

The funny part is this whole thing is becoming the biggest accidental marketing campaign the WNBA has ever had.

Every time somebody takes a cheap shot at Caitlin Clark…

Ratings go up.

Social media explodes.

ESPN gets another week of debate shows.

And somewhere Adam Silver is probably wondering if he can borrow Caitlin Clark for Christmas Day.

Now here’s the bad news.

Clark is dealing with a back injury and will miss Indiana’s next game. Fever coach Stephanie White says they’re taking advantage of the week off to get their superstar healthy.

Because let’s be honest…

The basketball world has already circled July 9 on the calendar.

Phoenix.

Indiana.

Round Two.

That’s not a regular-season game anymore.

That’s a pay-per-view.

The Mercury better hope Clark is healthy because every jumper she hits is going to feel like an invoice.

Every logo three?

Interest charges.

Every assist?

Late fees.

Every win?

Collections.

Patrick Peterson isn’t asking Caitlin Clark to fight anybody.

He’s asking her to do something even crueler.

Embarrass them.

And if history has taught us anything…

The most dangerous version of Caitlin Clark isn’t the one talking.

It’s the one smiling after she just buried another three from the parking lot while the crowd loses its mind.

Because revenge is temporary.

A 35-foot three in your face?

That clip lives on the internet forever.