In the wake of a heartbreaking 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty on May 24, 2025, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White didn’t hold back in addressing what she perceives as inconsistent officiating in recent games. The defeat, which dropped the Fever to a 2-2 record early in the 2025 WNBA season, highlighted ongoing frustrations for White and her team, particularly regarding key calls—or non-calls—in critical moments. White’s passionate remarks underscore a broader call for fairness and consistency in how games are officiated, as the Fever navigate a competitive season with high expectations.
The game against the Liberty was a tightly contested affair, with Indiana holding a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter before New York mounted a 16-2 run to seize control. In the final 36 seconds, tied at 88-88, the Fever had a chance to take the lead. Star guard Caitlin Clark attempted a three-pointer, which missed, leading to a jump ball won by Indiana’s Aliyah Boston. However, a subsequent layup attempt by DeWanna Bonner was blocked by Liberty’s Natasha Cloud, a play White and the Fever believed warranted a foul call. Moments later, Cloud stripped the ball from Clark as she drove to the basket, sealing the Liberty’s victory. White was unequivocal in her postgame press conference, stating, “I thought she got fouled. I think it’s pretty egregious what’s been happening to us these last few games.
White’s frustration stems from a perceived pattern of inconsistent officiating. She pointed to a “minus-31 free throw discrepancy” over recent games, emphasizing that the Fever’s aggressive, rim-attacking style should yield more calls in their favor. “I might be able to understand that if we’re chucking 3s, but we’re not. We’re attacking the rim,” White said. “The disrespect right now for our team has been pretty unbelievable.” Her comments reflect a broader sentiment that the Fever, led by high-profile players like Clark, Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell, are not receiving equitable treatment from officials.
This isn’t the first time White has raised concerns about officiating. During her previous tenure as Fever head coach in 2015, she faced similar issues, even receiving a warning from the WNBA to temper her public criticisms after a Finals loss to the Minnesota Lynx. White acknowledges the league’s system for submitting plays for review but expressed skepticism about its effectiveness, saying, “I don’t know that I ever feel like the system works. We’re not looking for a change, we’re just looking for consistency.
Despite her frustrations, White stressed the importance of her team focusing on controllable factors. “We can’t allow that to consume us. We’ve gotta be able to play through that,” she noted. With upcoming games against the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun, White’s leadership will be crucial in keeping the Fever focused. Her call for consistency resonates as a plea for fairness, ensuring her young, talented roster can compete on an even playing field as they chase a WNBA championship.
