SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 28: Head coach Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever watch on during a game against the Golden State Valkyries on May 28, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA MAY 28 Indiana Fever at Golden State Valkyries EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260528205
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 28: Head coach Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever watch on during a game against the Golden State Valkyries on May 28, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA MAY 28 Indiana Fever at Golden State Valkyries EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260528205
Fever coach Stephanie White just watched offensive duo Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell over-dribble as the Fever fell short to the Mystics. Her team’s defensive lack was exposed in the heavy blowout, but the offense wasn’t ideal either.
Fever’s three-game win streak came to an end at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as they lost 93-77. White pointed out the drawbacks in the offense that cost them the game.
“Number two, I thought that there were too many moments where we stood around and watched Caitlin and Kelsey (Mitchell) just dribble," White said. "We didn’t move the ball. We weren’t moving without the ball.”
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 08: Kelsey Mitchell 0 of the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever during a game against the Chicago Sky on August 8, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA AUG 08 Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260808201
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 08: Kelsey Mitchell 0 of the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever during a game against the Chicago Sky on August 8, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA AUG 08 Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260808201
According to White, over-dribbling cost them the game. The Mystics took a quick 16- 8 lead. The Indiana offense was unable to close the gap despite their best efforts.
Clark produced 25 points, five assists, two steals, and a block, while Kelsey Mitchell contributed 22 points.
However, the misses over the course of the game proved costly in the end.
“I thought, number one, we missed a lot of shots we usually make," White said in the postgame conference. "I think that sometimes that affects a group that relies so heavily on their offense.”
Washington shot 57% from the field while limiting the Fever to 37%. Fever’s stagnancy on the court could not pierce the Mystics’ tight defense.
Clark also shared the same view as her head coach.
Clark echoes White's concern
For Clark, it wasn't the typical Fever performance. Stagnancy was the issue she pointed out.
“It just didn’t feel like us,” Clark said in the postgame conference. “… We weren’t moving the ball. The ball wasn’t popping. We were stagnant. We were over-dribbling.”
Clark was also left frustrated on the court and was spotted yelling at White when they were trailing 31-17.
Washington's starters outscored Indiana's starters 74-69, while the Mystics' reserves won the bench battle 19-8.
Fever remain fifth in the standings at 27-15 and will face the Lynx next.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar