It was a tricky game against the Dallas Wings for the Indiana Fever at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena. Even though the hosts were strong on paper, the opponents were capable of an upset. The Wings had nothing to lose, but Stephanie White’s team couldn’t bear a loss in the final phase of the regular season.
Unfortunately for the Indiana team, the close contest finished in the Wings’ favor, dropping them to an 18-15 record, sixth best in the league. HC was not going to keep quiet about it and spoke bluntly in the post-game interview.
Stephanie White Points Out Double-Standards In Officiating
If one aspect of the league is making noise, other than games and CBA, it’s the officiating. Many players, coaches, and even analysts have called for poor referee practices due to irregular foul calls and bad judgments.
In the Fever vs. Wings games, there were also multiple occasions where HC White lost her control over the referee’s decisions. During the first quarter only, Caitlin Clark held back the 48-year-old coach who was charging towards the officials for a wrong foul call. In the post-game interview, she opened up on the game and pointed out the ‘double standards’ towards her team.
“I think Kelsey Mitchell, number one, is held or chucked on every freaking possession and never gets a call off the ball. Aliyah Boston is the worst officiated post player in the league. She never gets a call. And there is a double standard there, certainly,” White said in a press conference (Via X/Sudharsan_AK10).
Stephanie White calls out the refs for their double standards in calls:
— AK (@Sudharsan_AK10) August 13, 2025
"I think there is a double standard in how people get their calls. KM is held or chucked on every freaking possession and never gets a call. AB is the worst officiated post player in the league." pic.twitter.com/rV5RY47XSv
She added that if the game was going to be physical, then the refs should have allowed both teams to be physical. She mentioned that her expectations were to get fair officiating, and it was not there.
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On one occasion, Sophie Cunningham got a flagrant foul for her defense on Paige Bueckers, where she was away from the player. On another occasion, the Fever forward received a personal foul as PB pushed her away.
The most horrific and game-changing incident occurred in the closing moments of the game. AB received a foul even though Li Yueru made a basket, and the Fever forward just had her hands up in the air, slightly tangled with the Wings forward. Even the commentator Rebecca Lobo slammed the official’s decision.
Stephanie White Needs To Make A Quick Adjustment To Rescue 2025 Season
The Indiana Fever had a shaky season with just one five-game winning run, and the Commissioner’s Cup title was a bright spot in the 2025 season so far. Despite the star-studded line-up, they failed to win over the Golden State Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks and struggled against stronger sides like the Mercury and Atlanta Dream.
Injuries to Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, and Clark put them on the back foot. But the head coach talked about the team’s depth, and it needs to show up right now. The side is two losses away from dropping out of playoff contention, and its fate depends on the results of the bottom-placed sides.
Until CC is entirely healthy and back in action, White will have to come up with different offensive plans involving every offensive player on the roster. The route to the playoffs will be tough without Clark, but White needs to be innovative and smart about her decisions, as blaming officiating will not serve the team’s purpose.