Stephanie White Steps Away: Fever Face Sky Without Head Coach and Stars
In a surprising turn of events for Indiana Fever fans, head coach Stephanie White will not be on the sidelines for the team's Saturday night clash against the Chicago Sky. News broke early Saturday morning that White would be absent due to personal reasons. While the details remain private, the team confirmed that White did not attend Friday’s practice and her return timeline is currently unknown.
Stepping into the head coach role in her absence is Austin Kelly, White's first assistant and a long-trusted colleague. Kelly has worked alongside White for three years, first joining her staff in Connecticut in 2023 before following her to Indianapolis. Joining him in expanded roles are assistant coaches Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January. Both are no strangers to White's system either—January has been with White since 2023, and Christmas-Kelly recently rejoined the Fever staff in 2025 after a previous stint.
Despite White's absence, there is a strong sense of continuity within the coaching ranks. White has expressed immense confidence in her assistants, saying before the season, “My staff is so good and trusting in them that if I needed to be away for a period of time, it's status quo.” That trust will be put to the test tonight, as Indiana plays a crucial early-season matchup on the road.
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The challenges don’t stop there for the Fever. Star rookie Caitlin Clark remains sidelined with a quad injury, while veteran Sophie Cunningham is also out with an ankle issue. Both players traveled with the team, offering moral support, but their on-court absence will be deeply felt. Indiana will rely heavily on Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull, who recently helped the team snap a three-game skid with a win over the Washington Mystics.
Indiana holds a 1-0 advantage in the season series against Chicago, having demolished the Sky by 35 points on May 17. However, this game promises to be a very different battle. The Sky are heating up, riding a two-game win streak and playing at home with growing confidence. With Angel Reese continuing to find her stride and Courtney Vandersloot anchoring the offense, Chicago will be looking to even the score.
This matchup also holds added significance as it marks the first WNBA regular-season game to be broadcast on primetime network television. Despite the absences of Clark and White, the moment remains a celebration of how far the league has come—and a chance for new names to step up.
All eyes will be on how the Fever respond to adversity. With key leadership missing on both the coaching bench and the hardwood, the game against the Sky is more than just a regular-season clash—it’s a gut check. Can the Fever prove their depth, or will Chicago seize the momentum and even the series?
The stage is set, the lights are bright, and the storylines are plenty. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. EDT—this one’s worth watching.
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