Following a narrow 90-88 defeat against the New York Liberty, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White has made it clear what she expects from her team moving forward. The loss, which saw the Fever drop to a 2-2 record, highlighted recurring issues the team needs to address to compete with the WNBA's elite teams.
The game against the Liberty was a closely contested battle, with the Fever leading by as many as 12 points in the third quarter. However, they struggled to maintain their momentum, and the Liberty capitalized, ultimately securing the win in the final seconds. A key moment came when Liberty guard Natasha Cloud knocked the ball away from Caitlin Clark on a potential game-tying or game-winning shot.
After the game, White addressed the media, expressing her frustration with the officiating and emphasizing the need for her team to play more cohesively. She pointed out that the free-throw disparity was a significant factor, with the Liberty shooting 32 free throws compared to the Fever's 15. White didn't hold back, stating that she felt the "disrespect right now for our team has been pretty unbelievable" when it came to the calls being made.
Beyond the officiating, White focused on what her team could control. Her non-negotiable demand from the locker room was a commitment to better ball movement and trusting the team's offensive system. She emphasized that individual players shouldn't feel pressured to make the game-changing play on their own. Instead, she wants them to rely on the principles that led to their success in the third quarter, which involved quick, decisive passes and a shared offensive responsibility.
“We have to do a better job collectively of understanding that individually we don't have to make the play that stops the run or turns the tide. We gotta continue to do what allowed us to be successful in the 3rd quarter and that's ball movement, 1-sec. bball,” White explained during the postgame press conference. This suggests that White wants the Fever to avoid isolating players and forcing difficult shots, instead prioritizing a fluid offense where everyone contributes.
Caitlin Clark echoed this sentiment, admitting that the team needs to improve its consistency. She noted that they have only managed to put together two solid quarters in most games and need to find a way to sustain a high level of play for all four quarters if they want to beat the top teams in the league. Clark also acknowledged the learning curve that comes with integrating new players and developing team chemistry.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for the Fever. Aliyah Boston had an outstanding game, scoring 27 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Her performance demonstrated her potential as a dominant post player in the WNBA. The synergy between Boston and Clark was also evident, as the two connected for several key plays throughout the game.
Looking ahead, the Fever will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and reduce turnovers. They also need to find ways to get more consistent contributions from their new additions, such as veterans DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard.
The Fever have a few days to regroup before their next game against the Washington Mystics on May 28. This time will be crucial for White to reinforce her message and ensure that the team is committed to playing a more disciplined and cohesive brand of basketball. If they can do that, they will be able to turn those close losses into wins.
