INDIANAPOLIS —

The Fever are no strangers to distractions.

This season, they’ve successfully navigated through quite a few challenges. Still, it only takes one incident to disrupt the calm. The atmosphere was tense, and the noise during the weekend reached a breaking point.

Indiana’s head coach, Stephanie White, took to the microphone before the game to defend her actions following criticism regarding her treatment of player Sophie Cunningham after a flagrant foul was committed during Saturday’s match against the Sky.

Star guard Caitlin Clark has promised her support, step by step. During their latest game, which they won against the Liberty, the team emphasized their backing of White, showing it clearly by expressing their feelings post-match.

“I talked to Steph earlier, and maybe sometimes we overlook that she’s human with feelings,” Clark shared. “This job can be tough—some days are really hard. It’s okay to feel that way. I’ve been there myself—sometimes even the thickest skin can be pierced.”

Clark reflected on the world, mentioning, “It seems like we thrive on division and negativity. That mindset is heartbreaking. Instead, we should lift each other up. I told her, ‘We weren’t going to lose today. No way.’”

Despite the pervasive noise, much of it was just a vocal minority, yet it seeped into the arena enough to create boos during pregame introductions when White was mentioned. Clark’s strong defense drew noticeable reactions, upsetting some fans before the game even started.

“It’s disheartening,” Clark commented. “Seeing fans boo my head coach made me feel bad. I understand opinions vary—this is professional sports and all—but we’ll always support her. That won’t harm our locker room.”

Clark played a pivotal role in their victory, scoring 22 points and assisting 10 times. Kelsey Mitchell, her teammate, continued her impressive streak with 28 points, extending her record to 17 consecutive games with 20 or more points.

They’ve been on a roll lately, with a record of 11-4 in the last 15 games, now just a game behind the Aces. For White, staying focused on the team’s performance is paramount.

“Our league showcases the best athletes in the world,” White emphasized. “They deserve recognition. We need to keep advocating for what’s right. Sometimes, it feels like we’re easy targets.”

She added, “There’s a long history behind what we’re facing today. We should be concentrating on this team and how they’re playing. They’ve been performing wonderfully.”

White and Clark have forged a strong bond amid the season’s ups and downs. Earlier this season, they had a disagreement during a game, which became a topic of discussion.

Clark later acknowledged their relationship, noting the emotional support provided during difficult times, especially when White faced her own challenges during the previous season.

As time went on, some fans shifted their criticism towards White again, but this time for reasons that seemed even less reasonable. Clark stood by her coach once more, leading the team to victory and making her support clear.

“I care deeply for her,” Clark said. “It’s tough because I know criticism comes easily. She puts on a brave face, but sometimes it seeps in. That’s life. There are hard days, yet I’m just so proud of our team.”

“We really came together tonight. We had fun, moved the ball well, and enjoyed ourselves. Honestly, we did this for her, for each other, and for the team.”