Stephanie White and the Indiana Fever were coming off a dramatic 90-86 win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday, jumping to 20-12 on the 2026 WNBA season. And on Tuesday, the Fever looked for a second consecutive win, returning to Indianapolis to face Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty.
During the first quarter of Indiana's win over Chicago, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham attempted a fast-break layup, before Sky guard DiJonai Carrington came from behind and clocked Cunningham in the face with her forearm, causing both teams to go at it.
The officials initially assessed Carrington with a Flagrant 1 foul, but after reviewing the play, they upgraded it to a Flagrant 2, resulting in the former Stanford Cardinal star's ejection
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Following the game, White notably did not defend her own player, instead appearing to back Carrington. After saying she didn't "oppose the hard foul" on Cunningham, White faced intense backlash from Fever fans, with many calling on president Kelly Krauskopf to fire the head coach.
"Yeah, I mean, look, it was a hard foul. I don't think that DiJonai intentionally came out to get her across the neck like she did. But it did happen, and I thought it was the right call," White said. "But you know, one of the things about Nay is that she's gonna play her butt off, man. She's gonna compete. Nobody's gonna go walking in for a layup. And so, I don't oppose the hard foul. But I also don't think that she intentionally went for the neck."
While White had a lot to say ahead of the Fever vs. Liberty matchup, Krauskopf released a statement regarding the head coach, fully backing White.
“Coach White has done a tremendous job leading the Fever and for the second-consecutive season, has us in great position for a playoff push," Krauskopf stated. "She has kept our team focused and united, all while under the brightest spotlight our team and our league have ever experienced. She has the full support of leadership.”
Following the Liberty matchup, the Fever will be back in action on Friday, hosting Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings at 7:30 p.m. ET.
