Caitlin Clark opened up about the backlash Stephanie White received after her immediate response to the DiJonai Carrington-Sophie Cunningham incident on August 8. The three-time All-Star defended the Indiana Fever head coach, focusing on the personal and emotional toll of public criticism.
Caitlin Clark Reveals Candid Take on Stephanie White’s Backlash and Subsequent Criticism
The controversy began when the Chicago Sky’s Carrington committed a Flagrant 2 foul on Indiana’s Cunningham. Following the game, Fever head coach White defended Carrington, noting that she just plays hard without malicious intent.
White’s comments sparked severe public backlash. Prominent media personalities like Dave Portnoy blasted her response, and angry fans, along with political figures, called for her immediate firing.
Addressing the outrage ahead of Fever’s clash against the New York Liberty, White pushed back against the online noise and clarified that she hadn’t initially seen the replay, affirming that she will lead with love and grace while asserting that divisive rhetoric “will not win.”
Following Fever’s 106-92 win over the Liberty, Clark shared that she spoke with White before the game and offered her support during a difficult stretch of media criticism.
“I talked to Steph earlier in the day, too, and I think we forget a lot of times like we’re human… I just told her I’ve been through the same thing. There’s been days where I’ve been really upset, and you can have the thickest skin in the world,” Clark said during the presser.
“But sometimes it does get to you. And you know, I think our world is just like we love to hate. We love to divide. Like that’s all we want to do.”
Clark also voiced her disgust at home fans booing White during pre-game introductions, noting that the squad was extra motivated to rally together, win the game for White, and show the unity in their locker room.
During the same presser, Cunningham also defended her coach and attributed the controversy strictly to external media narrative and social media drama.
“I think there’s just been a lot of outside noise. But our locker room is good,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham also dismissed any claims of tension within the team and emphasized that her relationship with White and the entire squad is in a great place.
On court, Clark put up another solid performance with 22 points and 10 assists against the Liberty, while Cunningham overcame her recent offensive slump by posting 12 points and helped the Fever go 21-12 this season.
