Caitlin Clark praises Stephanie White
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark praised head coach Stephanie White during an exit interview at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. She said their professional relationship had included consistent support throughout two seasons together.
The three-time All-Star described coaching Indiana as a role that draws close public scrutiny and frequent criticism. She expressed gratitude for White’s guidance and praised the competitive approach they shared throughout the 2026 WNBA campaign.
Caitlin Clark shares responsibility for losses
Caitlin Clark said that Indiana Fever players shared responsibility for the team’s results during the 2026 WNBA season. At her October 8 exit interview, she argued that criticism focused exclusively on coaches overlooked the team’s own performance.
Clark said players needed to improve their execution and help Indiana win more games. She also credited Stephanie White’s assistants for the time they spent preparing strategies and helping the roster compete throughout the season.
Stephanie White hopes to return in 2027
Stephanie White told reporters on October 3 in Indianapolis that she wanted to remain Indiana Fever head coach in 2027. She acknowledged that franchise leaders would decide her future after the team’s first-round playoff exit.
White coached Indiana to the 2015 WNBA Finals before returning for the 2025 season. Between those appointments, she earned the 2023 Coach of the Year award while leading the Connecticut Sun during her debut campaign.
Amber Cox addresses White’s future
Indiana Fever general manager Amber Cox acknowledged unmet championship expectations during the October 3 exit interviews. She said the organization would learn from its playoff disappointment and address identified problems before the 2027 WNBA season.
Cox praised Stephanie White’s relationships with players and said the coaching staff planned to join offseason improvement discussions. She did not publicly confirm whether White would remain head coach for the upcoming 2027 WNBA campaign.
Caitlin Clark explains the Portland exchange
Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White exchanged words during Indiana’s May 30 game against the Portland Fire. The hosts went on a 13-2 run early in the first quarter after White substituted Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Portland eventually won 100-84, but Clark rejected claims of a lasting conflict with her coach on June 1. She described their exchange as a normal result of two competitive people wanting to win the game.
Caitlin Clark responds to boos for White
Fans booed Stephanie White before the Indiana Fever hosted the New York Liberty on August 11 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Caitlin Clark objected to the reaction and publicly supported her coach following the game.
The Fever won 106-92, with Kelsey Mitchell contributing 28 points and Clark adding 22 alongside 10 assists. The guard recalled promising White before tipoff that Indiana would win the game for its coach that night.
Indiana Fever set a record with 28 wins
The Indiana Fever ended the 2026 regular season with a 28-16 record under Stephanie White across 44 games. Their 28 victories set a franchise high, surpassing the 24 wins the club recorded in 2025.
The Fever finished sixth in the WNBA standings, tied with the Washington Mystics at 28 victories before tiebreakers. The Atlanta Dream led the Eastern Conference with 30 regular-season wins, two more than either team managed.
Indiana Fever set WNBA scoring record
The Indiana Fever averaged 96.0 points per game across 44 regular-season contests in 2026, setting the highest scoring average in WNBA history. The Phoenix Mercury previously held the mark after averaging 93.9 points in 2010.
Stephanie White’s players also led the league with a 117.0 offensive rating, or points scored per 100 possessions. Indiana converted 48.7% of field goal attempts and 38.6% from three-point range throughout the record-setting regular season.
Indiana Fever rank 11th in points allowed
The Indiana Fever allowed opponents an average of 90.4 points per game during the 2026 regular season, ranking 11th among 15 WNBA teams. Their defensive ranking stood in contrast to the club’s record-setting offensive performance that year.
The Fever posted a 110.3 defensive rating, ranking ninth in points allowed per 100 possessions over 44 games. Indiana achieved a positive 6.7 net rating across the season because its offense outscored opponents per possession.
Caitlin Clark sets career scoring high
Caitlin Clark averaged a career-high 22.3 points during the 2026 WNBA regular season, ranking third among all league scorers. She added 8.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game across 40 appearances for the Indiana Fever.
Clark also averaged a record 41.2 points created through scoring and passing per game that season. She finished second in the WNBA in regular-season assists, recorded 14 double-doubles and converted 36.1% of her three-point attempts.
Fun fact: Before coaching Caitlin Clark, Stephanie White was the TV analyst calling Clark’s 2024 NCAA tournament opener against Holy Cross.
Kelsey Mitchell faces free agency choice
Kelsey Mitchell led the Indiana Fever in 2026 with a career-best 24.7 points per game across 44 regular-season appearances. The veteran guard ranked second in league scoring and also averaged 2.8 assists during the season.
Mitchell approached unrestricted free agency after Indiana’s playoff exit, leaving her next contract unresolved. General manager Amber Cox named retaining the longtime Fever guard a priority while discussing roster plans for the 2027 WNBA season.
Las Vegas Aces end Indiana’s postseason
The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever 94-83 on October 1, winning their opening playoff series 2-1. The deciding game took place in Las Vegas and ended Stephanie White’s team’s 2026 WNBA postseason run.
A’ja Wilson posted 36 points and 10 rebounds for Las Vegas, while Aliyah Boston added 19 and matched Wilson’s total on the boards. Indiana reached the 2025 WNBA semifinals before losing 3-2 to the Aces.
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Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White win gold
Caitlin Clark joined Indiana teammate Aliyah Boston on the United States roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany. Fever coach Stephanie White served as an assistant during the international tournament.
The Americans defeated France 97-79 in the September 13 final to claim their fifth consecutive women’s world championship. Clark later described sharing that experience with White as one of her most meaningful memories of 2026.
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Does Caitlin Clark’s support make a stronger case for Stephanie White staying with the Indiana Fever in 2027, or should the team consider a different direction? What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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