Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White rejects online criticism in defence of players

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White delivered an impassioned statement to the media ahead of the team’s match against the New York Liberty on Tuesday, firmly defending her players and rejecting online criticism following a flagrant foul committed by DiJonai Carrington on Sophie Cunningham.

White initially suggested the foul was not intentional in post-game comments following the team’s victory over the Chicago Sky on Saturday, but after reviewing replays, she described the incident as “egregious.” She used her pre-game media session to address the backlash, stating that hate, fear-mongering, and divisiveness would not prevail and that she would always stand by her players.

The controversy follows Carrington’s ejection from the Chicago Sky game, which resulted in a flagrant two foul on Cunningham. Following the ejection, Carrington posted the phrase “white privilege” on social media, tagging the Fever’s team account; the post was later deleted. Carrington has stated the foul was “never intentional” but declined to explain the social media post.

White explicitly told critics to “go to hell,” emphasising that the team’s focus remains on their performance and unity. “The hate, the fear-mongering, the divisiveness, the stuff that's trying to hijack our league will not win,” White said. “I stand by them. I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell.”

Fever president Kelly Krauskopf issued a statement confirming the team leadership has “full support” for White, praising her for keeping the team focused and united amid intense scrutiny. The Fever have won eight of their last 11 games, placing them fifth in the standings with a record of 20-12.