**Stephanie White Voices Frustration Despite Fever’s Blowout Win Over Aces**
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White during her team’s dominant 81-54 victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night.
While the win marked one of the most complete performances of the season for Indiana — and came without star rookie and WNBA All-Star captain Caitlin Clark in the lineup — White was visibly irritated at moments throughout the contest, particularly with the officiating.
A key moment came with 4:44 left in the third quarter, when play was paused and White was seen expressing her displeasure directly to Clark on the sideline. Though the Fever were in control of the game at that point, White’s frustration clearly lingered, continuing into subsequent possessions and huddles.
The specifics of the disagreement with officials weren’t made fully public, but the timing suggests it stemmed from a lack of calls on physical play around the rim or perceived inconsistency in foul calls — an issue White has raised before.
Despite her irritation, White kept her team focused, guiding a balanced Fever effort that saw five players score in double figures. The win improves Indiana’s standing as they make a midseason push for playoff positioning in the crowded Eastern Conference.
Caitlin Clark’s absence was reportedly due to rest and precaution, and the Fever proved they could thrive without her — though White’s reaction served as a reminder that even in victory, coaches are always looking for ways to hold the standard and fight for fairness on the court.
Stephanie White Earns Technical in Blowout Win, Says Caitlin Clark Will Pay the Fine
Even in the midst of a dominant 81–54 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White wasn’t holding back — especially when it came to the officiating.
With Indiana leading by nearly 20 points in the fourth quarter, tensions briefly boiled over. White erupted at an official during one of the team’s offensive possessions, voicing her displeasure loud enough to be heard across the arena. The official had seen enough and promptly hit the Fever coach with a technical foul.
While the Fever bench seemed unfazed, one player in particular enjoyed the moment — star rookie Caitlin Clark. Cameras caught Clark grinning from ear to ear as her coach was hit with the tech, a sign of the fiery bond the two have developed in just a few short months.
Speaking to the media postgame, White didn’t back down from her actions. In fact, she said the technical was intentional.
> “I knew what I was doing,” White said with a smirk. “Sometimes you’ve got to make a point, even if it costs you. And I fully expect a fine.”
But in an unexpected twist, White revealed that Clark had already offered to pay the expected fine — using her bonus earnings from Indiana’s recent WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship.
> “Caitlin told me not to worry about it,” White added. “She said she’s got it covered with her Commissioner’s Cup bonus. That’s the kind of teammate and person she is.”
Clark’s gesture highlights not only her leadership but also the strong relationship between coach and player, one built on mutual respect and competitive fire.
The Fever’s convincing win over Las Vegas, even without Clark on the court, sends a message to the rest of the league but so did White’s technical foul. For Indiana, this isn’t just about stacking wins it’s about setting a tone.
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