INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 30: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 questions being called for a delay of game against the Dallas Wings during a preseason game on April 30, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 30 Preseason Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260434
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 30: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 questions being called for a delay of game against the Dallas Wings during a preseason game on April 30, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA APR 30 Preseason Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260434
Fever fans made their feelings known before Tuesday night's match with the New York Liberty, but Caitlin Clark was not on the same page as them.
Some Indiana fans had turned on Stephanie White after the Fever coach faced criticism for her response to the Sophie Cunningham-DiJonai Carrington incident. Clark made it clear after the game that she wanted no part of the backlash.
"There was no way we were losing this game for [Stephanie White]," Clark told reporters after the game. "I hated that our fans booed her before the game. That made me a little sick, to be honest."
WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA 2024: Fever vs Sun SEP 22 September 22, 2024: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 looks on during game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Erica Denhoff/CSM Credit Image: Â Erica Denhoff/Cal Media Uncasville Connecticut United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240922_zma_c04_562.jpg EricaxDenhoffx csmphotothree309527
WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA 2024: Fever vs Sun SEP 22 September 22, 2024: Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark 22 looks on during game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Erica Denhoff/CSM Credit Image: Â Erica Denhoff/Cal Media Uncasville Connecticut United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240922_zma_c04_562.jpg EricaxDenhoffx csmphotothree309527
Booing was a bit unexpected from the hardcore Indiana fanbase. They have been one of the most faithful fan bases in the league. The Fever were dominant from the start and beat the Liberty in all of the first three of the four quarters
"We're going to ride for her, and we're always going to have her back," Clark added on August 12, per Indiana Fever YouTube.
Clark and White have had a close connection since the latter took over the coaching job in 2025. The 2024 Rookie of the Year, defending her head coach, wasn't surprising.
White also defended her players amid growing chatter around the league.
Stephanie White slams online "hate" in impassioned pregame statement
In the last few days, social media has been divided about the Cunningham-Carrington altercation. White's name also got dragged in the tsunami.
Before the Fever-Liberty game, White slammed people for hijacking women's basketball
"The hate, the fear-mongering, the divisiveness, the stuff that's trying to hijack our league will not win," said an emotionally charged White before the game, per Alexa Philippou on her X. "It won't win. We are united. We are connected, we will not be divided."
The Fever locker room has remained united despite the ongoing narrative. The conversation has largely derailed from basketball.
"Every day, these women put their a** on the line. ... I stand by them," White added. "I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell."
White was blamed for not defending Cunningham in her post-game presser. Her message was clear on where she stood on the issue.
Do you think Stephanie White deserved to be booed? Let us know!
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Written by
Nandjee Ranjan
Edited by
Rudra Dubey