The Indiana Fever are a legitimate WNBA championship contender heading into the regular season’s final stretch, but remain arguably the most controversial team in the league for a variety of reasons.
Fever Head Coach Stephanie White recently addressed the team’s mindset heading into the most important games of the season.
Fever Head Coach Stephanie White Says Team Is Connected Despite Off-Court Controversies
White addressed the media and revealed that the Fever are focused on winning a championship and minimizing distractions.
“I hope the biggest thing we learn is how to be responsive instead of reactive in certain situations… I think our group does a really good job of responding,” she said.
“There are a lot of folks out there that want to create more challenges for us. In our locker room, we do a really good job of keeping that outside.”#Fever head coach Stephanie White on how the team has dealt with all of the outside noise this season: pic.twitter.com/geyYpDl0zR
— WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) August 10, 2026
“There are a lot of folks out there that want to divide us, want to create challenges for us. In our locker room, we do a really good job of keeping that outside the locker room and pulling for one another.”
Much of the recent discussion centers around Sophie Cunningham, following her recent comments on trans athletes participating in women’s sports.
The Fever guard received plenty of support at recent Fever games, while also being subject to booing and criticism from other fans.
Cunningham’s teammates, especially superstar guard Caitlin Clark, faced heat for not directly addressing the trans athlete debate. Earlier in August, Clark refused to take a clear stance in the controversy.
“I think, for us, it’s not really a discussion we really have in our locker room,” Clark told reporters. “I think it’s for leagues and the governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions. Our focus is on basketball. That’s what we talk about and how we can get wins…”
In the Fever’s recent game against the Chicago Sky on Saturday, Cunningham was on the receiving end of a flagrant foul from DiJonai Carrington.
The Sky guard was ejected in the aftermath and posted on social media that her exit was an example of “white privilege.”
White’s response to the incident drew backlash, with many analysts and fans believing the Indiana head coach failed to condemn Carrington, her former player, and to support Cunningham.
“One of the things about Nai (DiJonai Carrington) is that she’s going to compete. No one’s going to walk in for an easy layup, so I don’t oppose the hard foul. But I also don’t think she intentionally went for the neck,” White said.
Despite the noise surrounding the team, the Fever are 20-12, and White believes her players are focused on what’s most important: winning a championship.
