The fans aren't happy about this one.
Fever Coach Stephanie White Under Fire for Staying Neutral on Caitlin Clark Controversy originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Indiana Fever suffered a potentially major blow on Tuesday night as they secured an 85-77 win over the Connecticut Sun. This is after Caitlin Clark was forced to exit the game in the final minute and was unable to return.
It appears that Clark may have suffered a re-aggravation of the same groin injury that kept her out for five consecutive games in June and July. Tuesday’s matchup against Connecticut was just her third game back from her two-week spell on the sidelines.
The fact that Clark fought back the tears as she sat on the bench after sustaining the injury seems to suggest that there could be serious concerns for her status moving forward.
While it was a non-contact injury that ultimately led to Clark’s early exit, there’s no denying that the Sun employed a considerably physical game plan against the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year. This has been the standard operating procedure for most of Indiana’s opponents, which is an issue that Fever coach Stephanie White was asked to address in her postgame press conference.
“Are you trying to get me fined again?” White said, referencing her recent punishment from the league for criticizing the referees. “... Yeah, I mean, there's a level of physicality that they're able to play with against her. I knew it as an opponent, and I see it as her coach, and I'm not exactly sure why, but it just is what it is.”
The veteran shot-caller then went on to express her belief in the need for Clark and the Fever to make the necessary adjustments to the physicality Clark faces on a nightly basis.
“We've got to help her learn to adjust and use it against them in certain ways,” White continued. "We've got to find some ways to make it a little bit easier for her.
“But the level of physicality overall in our league has been at a different level than it's been for a long time.”
Steph gotta call out the refs. This aint it. Everyone sees the physicality that Caitlin has to deal with every night, more than anybody else in the league.
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) July 16, 2025
"There's a level of physicality they're able to play with against her. I'm not exactly sure why but it just is what it is" https://t.co/3B1RxmfI3wpic.twitter.com/J6hWCL42n1
The fans weren’t exactly thrilled with White’s comments. Most of them believe that White’s neutral stance is a sign of her unwillingness to defend her star player amid the challenges she faces night in and night out.
"That’s weak sauce. She and the team need to be going to war with this league," a comment on X read.
"Acting like its just another Tuesday😭😭😭😭" another said.
"Her coach has to continue to call out the physicality in every post conference or nothing will change for her players," posted a user.
"Coach is the problem," declared a viewer.
"Stephanie White has got to go. She's an absolute disaster," a reaction read.
"This is some BS excuse from your head coach," said another.
"it is, what it is??? excuse me???" wrote a fan.
Depending on how serious Clark’s injury is, the Fever may not have the opportunity to, as White put it, ease her burden on the court anytime soon. This team could potentially be without its best player for an extended period, which will be a massive blow for Indiana’s championship aspirations this season.
Related: Caitlin Clark Reveals Honest Opinion on Boston Celtics: 'You Could Hate Them...'
Related: Sophie Cunningham Takes Blatant Elbow to Head in Heated Fever-Sun Game
Related: Caitlin Clark Strongly Denies Rumor: 'That Was a Lie'
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
