A familiar sideline voice was missing during Game 2 of the NBA Finals, and fans didn’t take long to notice. As the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder clashed in a high-stakes NBA Finals matchup, longtime ESPN and ABC reporter Lisa Salters was unexpectedly absent from the broadcast. It came as a surprise, especially considering her consistent presence during high-profile NBA games over the years.
The timing raised eyebrows, especially after another notable figure in her life, Indiana Fever’s head coach Stephanie White, also stepped away from the spotlight that same weekend. Now, questions are swirling about what’s going on and what happens next. Will Salters return for the rest of the Finals? Here’s what we know so far.
Uncertainty Surrounds Lisa Salters’ Return to Covering NBA Finals
There’s still no official word on whether Salters will be back on the sideline for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. She missed Sunday’s Game 2 broadcast between the Pacers and Thunder without any prior announcement, fueling online speculation and fan concern.
In a short statement to Front Office Sports, ESPN confirmed that Salters is “attending to a personal matter” and added, “We send her our best.” That message, while respectful, didn’t give any clue about her potential return during the rest of the best-of-seven series.
During the Game 2 telecast, play-by-play announcer Mike Breen offered a rare, heartfelt update, as per Awful Announcing X handle. “Lisa’s mom has been dealing with some very serious health issues for a while now, so we want to send our love to Lisa and her mom,” he said on air. “Although we’ve never met her mom, we owe her a debt of gratitude for giving us the gift of Lisa Salters, who is the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have.”
As of now, no timeline has been shared regarding when or if Salters will return to the broadcast team for the Finals. Game 3 is set for Wednesday, June 11 in Indianapolis, and the network has yet to make any further comment.
Partner Stephanie White Also Missed Fever Game
Adding to the intrigue, Fever head coach White, Salters’ longtime partner, also stepped away from her duties over the same weekend. She did not travel with the team for their June 7 matchup against the Chicago Sky. Assistant coach Austin Kelly took over head coaching duties, and the Fever secured a road win.
The Fever released a brief note attributing White’s absence to “personal reasons,” offering no additional details at the time.
White rejoined the Fever at practice on Monday, June 9, and briefly addressed the situation. “I’m doing alright. You know, it’s helpful that we have such a great group that is pouring into me and helping give me strength,” she said to reporters. “Our family is working through a hard time right now… I’m really thankful for this group.”
Steph White on her absence, Austin Kelly stepping in as acting head coach, and the continuity between the coaching staff: pic.twitter.com/iCghY6BYnq
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 9, 2025
Salters and White have reportedly been in a relationship since at least 2016, quietly building a blended family of four sons – White’s three boys from a previous marriage and Salters’ adopted son, Samuel. Despite being together for years, news of their partnership surprised many fans who only recently became aware of their bond.
Salters, a veteran of more than 30 years in sports journalism, won her first Sports Emmy in 2023 in the “Outstanding Personality/Reporter” category. She’s known for her presence, professionalism, and insight during marquee NBA moments.
But for now, her return to the NBA Finals remains uncertain. As the series heads to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 3, one of the league’s most trusted sideline voices is still missing, and many across the sports world are hoping she’s able to return soon.