Stephanie White and the defeat that sparked controversy in Indiana Fever
White quickly pointed out the challenges her team faced due to the missing players in the point guard position. “All of our point guards are injured. I think that’s the first thing,” she said, referring to Clark, Sydney Colson, and Aari McDonald.
However, the team’s recent history adds a surprising twist, just three days earlier, Indiana had comfortably defeated the Chicago Sky 92-70 without any starting point guards.
In that game, Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham successfully took over game organization, showing that the team can adapt and overcome adversity.

Key decisions and rotations under scrutiny
Controversy intensified over timeout decisions and player rotations in the final moments.
Stephanie White admitted that she “probably should have used” her last timeout earlier, a delay that compromised Indiana decisive possession.
Additionally, criticism focused on giving significant minutes to a newly signed player while limiting Lexie Hull’s time on the court, raising questions about the team’s long-term strategy.
For many fans, injuries do not fully justify the loss. Social media exploded with calls for a coaching change, pointing out that the team’s path toward the playoffs now faces growing pressure.
Moments of tension and unexpected leadership
One of the most talked-about moments of the game occurred when Stephanie White, visibly frustrated with the officiating. Angrily approached a referee.
At that moment, Caitlin Clark stepped in to calm her coach, taking on a peacemaking role that contrasted with her behavior last season.
Stephanie White also voiced her dissatisfaction with the referees’ decisions, criticizing what she considers a double standard in key plays and emphasizing how it affects players like Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.