Caitlin Clark usually has great things to say about Indiana Fever fans, but she was singing a different tune this Tuesday
Before tipoff between the Liberty and Fever, the home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse booed head coach Stephanie White. This was most likely a response to her not calling out DiJonai Carrington for her hard foul on Sophie Cunningham last Saturday.
The Fever's production on the court wasn't negatively impacted by the boos Tuesday night, that's for sure. Clark had 22 points and 10 assists in a 106-92 win. Kelsey Mitchell was also excellent, scoring 28 points on 11-of-16 shooting.
After the Fever took care of business, Clark called out Indiana's fan base for booing White at home.
"I hated that our fans booed her before the game," Clark told reporters. "That made me a little sick, to be honest."
Clark also said there was "no way" the Fever were going to lose to the Liberty and let people criticize their coach.
"We’re going to ride for her, and we’re always going to have her back," Clark added.
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images.
There's been plenty of smoke surrounding Stephanie White.
Prior to Tuesday night's Liberty-Fever game, legendary "SportsCenter" anchor Linda Cohn ripped White during an episode of her podcast.
“There is no coach in any sport on planet earth where Stephanie White would still be employed for supporting opposing players more than she supports her own, specifically Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark,” said Cohn. “… I know her history and I know what a great player she used to be, but it’s not working with the Indiana Fever. The reason she’s not fired already is because the owners don’t care or because the Fever are doing well. But they are [contending] not because of Stephanie White, but because of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.”
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, meanwhile, said he wants White fired as soon as possible.
“Get her out of there. Fire her [expletive] today. I don’t want her back on that bench. Stop defending the other players… When do you ever see a coach in the NBA not defend their own players?” Portnoy said. “This isn’t politics. Your player got assaulted. Defend your player in the press conference.”
Clearly, the Fever aren't going to let the public pressure them into firing White. After all, they're firmly in contention for a WNBA title this season.
