Aari McDonald might as well have been one of the best signings of the Indiana Fever this season. She settled right in on the first day. “We couldn’t be more proud of her and how she’s transitioned, and how she’s taken us to another level,” Austin Kelly echoed after the Fever managed back-to-back wins. But fast forward just one game, and even Aari’s spark wasn’t enough to cover up the Fever’s lingering issues. They suffered their worst loss of the season against the Atlanta Dream. Still, despite missing out on the Commissioner’s Cup, fans aren’t turning on the team—this time, they’ve got someone else on their radar.
It all began when the Indiana Fever entered Gateway Center to face off against the No. 3-ranked Atlanta Dream, who came in with a strong 6–3 record. On paper, anyone could’ve bet on the Dream given their impressive run in the first month of the regular season. But the first half was far from it. For those who missed it, the Fever entered the third quarter tied 33–33, thanks largely to McDonald’s explosive first-half performance. Coming off the bench, she tallied nine points in just eight minutes, igniting the team’s early momentum.
But everything unraveled in the second half. The Fever shot just 4-of-14 in the third quarter and a dismal 4-of-9 in the fourth, eventually falling 58–77. Offensively, they struggled mightily, shooting only 36.2% from the field and a painful 20.8% from beyond the arc. Despite attempting 24 three-pointers, they converted just five, often settling for low-quality perimeter looks.
final. pic.twitter.com/bwTstHskWf
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 11, 2025
The Dream, by contrast, looked calm and calculated, shooting an efficient 47% from the floor. They dominated the paint with 46 points inside compared to Indiana’s 28. And if that wasn’t enough, Atlanta also controlled the glass, hauling in 44 total rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, while Indiana managed just 27.
So what did this all mean? The Fever dropped to 1–2 in Commissioner’s Cup play. And while fans expected better, especially from a team averaging 81.6 points per game on 45.2% shooting across their first nine outings, this performance was a sharp deviation. But if you think fans are now throwing in the towel, you might be predicting wrong!
Fans’ frustration mounts as Stephanie White’s decisions spark obvious backlash!
As the Fever’s ranking dipped to No. 7 with a 4–5 record, spectators couldn’t hold back. But surprisingly, it wasn’t the team under scrutiny this time. Instead, head coach Stephanie White found herself at the center of the backlash. “I need someone to genuinely ask Stephanie White if this is good hoops. Like is she proud of the content being displayed out there? Bruh, this is horrific. We’ve never had this bad offensively,” wrote one user. And there’s some truth to that.
Indiana shot just 4-of-25 in a game where the team already ranks only 6th in points per game. What truly frustrated fans, though, was White’s refusal to adjust the game plan, even as key players like Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston visibly struggled. The young forward finished with just 7 points, while Mitchell was limited to 11. Now the fans question the Fever’s decision to hire.
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White looks up Tuesday, May 20, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“Stephanie White… Did the Indiana Fever hire the wrong coach???” another user asked. It all stems from high preseason expectations. The Fever made championship contenders conversations under White. But as the season progresses, it’s clear the team is faltering. None of White’s strategic plays seem to be working, whether involving DeWanna Bonner, Makyla Timpson, or Natasha Howard.
So while under Christie Sides, the team struggled defensively, with White, fans now argue they’re falling apart on both ends of the floor. “Indiana Fever doesn’t have good pieces and honestly Stephanie White is not that great,” another fan added.
What really ignited outrage, though, was White’s handling of the latest game. Mitchell picked up a technical foul with about 30 seconds left in the third quarter, seemingly for exchanging words with either the referee or a Dream player. Then came the boiling point, White herself was given a technical with three minutes remaining after a missed 3-pointer by Natasha Howard led to a scuffle for the rebound.
“Indiana had the Iowa offense—but Steph didn’t even show defense this night. I saw lil mousie below the rim while everybody was running the perimeter. Who in their right mind draws this type of game? Or were you drawing some doodles tonight, Steph?” another frustrated user commented. Defense was supposed to be the one lapse White took care of when she arrived in Indiana. She has topped the charts with other teams before. But Fever has been inconsistent, with blame deflected on physicality at times. Now, fans are making a surprising plea: bring back assistant coach Austin Kelly.
“The Indiana Fever are terrible with Stephanie White coaching. Bring back Austin Kelly as the coach. Caitlin should stay out until that team gets it together,” demanded one fan.
When White stepped away for personal reasons during the June 7 matchup against the Chicago Sky, Kelly stepped in and led the Fever to a commanding 79–52 victory, one of their best defensive performances of the season. The Fever held Chicago to just 32% shooting and forced 21 turnovers. So, with frustrations mounting and results slipping, fans are now left concerned about a team that was all ‘win now’ mentality.
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