White fires back at Fever critics

Coach rallies behind her squad

Stephanie White delivered an impassioned defence of her Indiana Fever players ahead of their clash with the New York Liberty, pushing back firmly against what she described as unwarranted negativity directed at the team from outside.

"I stand by them. I will always stand by them," White declared during a pre-game media session - a statement that left little room for ambiguity about where her loyalties lie.

Full backing from the top

Fever president Kelly Krauskopf moved swiftly to quash any speculation about White's future, as ESPN reports. Krauskopf praised the coach for doing a "tremendous job" keeping the squad focused through a turbulent stretch of the season.

What sparked the storm

The furore traces back to a game against the Chicago Sky, where DiJonai Carrington was called for a Flagrant 2 foul on Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham maintained the contact was deliberate. White, however, defended Carrington's competitive instincts - a stance that split opinion sharply among fans.

The backlash escalated to remarkable levels, with Indiana's lieutenant governor publicly calling for White to be sacked.

Eyes on the playoffs

None of it appears to have shaken the organisation's resolve. Krauskopf's endorsement signals that no coaching change is on the table. White, meanwhile, stressed her unwavering commitment to protecting her players' health and safety as the Fever chase a playoff berth with crucial fixtures on the horizon.