Fever coach Stephanie White faces Sophie Cunningham accusation head on

Stephanie White has faced criticism following Saturday’s incident that involved Sophie Cunningham. The referees ejected DiJonai Carrington after issuing a Flagrant 2 foul. The head coach spoke after the game, and many accused her of not supporting her player.

Indiana ultimately won 90-86, snapping its two-game skid. The team improved to 20-12 for the season ahead of a two-game homestand. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 27 points and five rebounds, while Caitlin Clark added 26 points and 11 assists. Cunningham scored only three points and grabbed one rebound but provided a lot of energy off the bench.

The Sky received strong contributions from Natasha Cloud and Rachel Banham, who each scored 17 points. Carrington exited with eight points in three minutes.

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White reacts during the first half of an WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm.

Indiana Fever: Stephanie White addresses accusation of not supporting Sophie Cunningham

White addressed the media ahead of Tuesday’s game versus the New York Liberty. She clarified that she didn’t see the play in real time but is glad that Cunningham didn’t get hurt. The 49-year-old taking on the accusations head on and sent a strong message to fans online.

“This isn’t necessarily for those people that are in this room,” White said. “This is more for an online community that’s trying to create narratives that simply don’t exist. Trying to create a fabrication or distortion of who I am, of what I’m about. Our players’ success, our players’ health and wellness, our players’ safety is always a top priority for me. One of the things I pride myself on is my relationships with players… I didn’t see the play in real time. I went straight to a press conference (and) I thought the play got called right. Thankfully, Sophie’s OK.

“The reality is with me, I will always lead with love. I will always lead with grace. I will always lead with humility and I will always lead with integrity. Doesn’t mean I’ll always get it right. I’m also human. The hate, the fear mongering, the divisiveness, the stuff that’s trying to hijack our league will not win. It won’t win. We are united, we are connected (and) we will not be divided… When they go low, we go high. Love will win. Grace will win. Humility will win and kindness will win. I stand by them. I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell.”

Stephanie White with an opening statement that was her entire pregame media session today: pic.twitter.com/mY1BtVTQ2u

— Tony East (@TonyREast) August 11, 2026

White and the Fever are hosting the Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with their sights set on winning their second straight game. They will also face Carrington and Sky again on Aug. 23.