Stephanie White’s Absence Sparks Indiana Fever Concerns After Caitlin Clark Controversy

Indiana Fever Coach Stephanie White to Miss Another Game Amid Personal Matters
(Image: Stephanie White on sidelines with caption: "Indiana Fever’s Stephanie White will miss Thursday’s game due to personal reasons")

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White will be absent from Thursday’s game against the Golden State Valkyries for personal reasons, marking her second consecutive missed matchup. The 47-year-old first-year coach also sat out the June 7 game against the Chicago Sky, with her absence linked to partner Lisa Salters’ family health concerns.

Assistant coach Austin Kelly will lead the team in her stead, supported by assistants Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January. No timeline has been given for White’s return.

Connection to Lisa Salters’ Family Health
(Image: Lisa Salters at NBA Finals with caption: "ESPN’s Lisa Salters missed Finals coverage due to her mother’s health")

White’s earlier absence coincided with Salters’ sudden leave from ESPN’s NBA Finals coverage. During Game 2 on June 8, broadcaster Mike Breen revealed Salters stepped away due to her mother’s serious health issues. Salters, a veteran sideline reporter, returned for Game 5 on June 17 but has not publicly addressed whether White’s current absence relates to ongoing family matters.

The couple, privately together since 2016, shares a blended family with four sons. White has three children from a previous marriage, while Salters adopted her son in 2017. Their relationship drew attention only after their simultaneous absences sparked speculation earlier this month.

(Image: White and Salters together with caption: "Stephanie White and Lisa Salters have been partners since 2016")

Fever Face On-Court Turbulence
White’s absence comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Fever, particularly around rookie Caitlin Clark’s physical treatment during games. In Tuesday’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun, Clark was involved in multiple incidents, including a poke to the eye by Jacy Sheldon and a hard shove from Marina Mabrey that sparked outrage. Mabrey received only a technical foul, later upgraded to a Flagrant 2, while teammate Sophie Cunningham was ejected for retaliating.

(Collage: Clark fouled and shoved with captions: "Caitlin Clark poked in the eye" and "Marina Mabrey’s shove drew backlash")

White’s Criticism of Officiating
Before her leave, White criticized WNBA officiating, stating, “Everybody is getting better, except the officials.” She emphasized the need for better control over physical play, noting she’d raised concerns early in games. The league has not fined her for the remarks.

Fans have flooded social media with support for White, urging the team to prioritize her family needs. The Fever, currently navigating a challenging season, will aim to regroup in her absence Thursday night.

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