Caitlin Clark backs White as she and Sophie Cunningham defended the Indiana Fever coach after Tuesday’s 106-92 win over the New York Liberty at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Clark said she spoke with Stephanie White before the game and assured her there was “no way we were losing” after criticism of the coach intensified following Saturday’s game against the Chicago Sky.
The Fever guard also criticised fans who booed White during pregame introductions, saying the reaction made her “a little sick.”
Clark said Indiana’s players would continue supporting their coach and protecting the unity of the locker room. The Fever confirmed the comments in their official postgame media session.
Clark recorded 22 points and 10 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell scored a game-high 28 points. Indiana’s victory improved its record to 21-12, according to the official WNBA game page.
Cunningham said White retained the players’ support and had not seen a replay before initially commenting on DiJonai Carrington’s Flagrant 2 foul. Carrington struck Cunningham in the head and neck area and was ejected from Saturday’s game.
Read: DiJonai Carrington Ejected as Fever Beat Sky 90-86
White initially said she did not believe the foul was intentional. She changed her assessment after reviewing the footage Tuesday, calling the contact “egregious,” according to the Associated Press.
Before facing New York, White defended her commitment to player safety and denounced what she described as hate and divisiveness surrounding the WNBA. Indiana then secured its seventh victory in nine games.