Stephanie White Demands More from Fever After Win vs Lynx as Playoffs Drive Intensifies

Let’s track back a little…do you remember how Indiana closed out the preseason? It will be remembered less for their play and more for the broader impact. Caitlin Clark’s Iowa homecoming, the preseason sweep, Stephanie White’s lineup experiments on a roster that had just five players from last season’s roster. And when asked what would make this season a success, both the star player and head coach echoed the same words….“A Championship!”

Only if they knew that the journey would be anything but straightforward. The Fever have weathered ups and downs, playoff scares, injuries, roster adjustments, and moments of brilliance that kept their playoff hopes alive. What hasn’t changed, though, is that lofty goal they set back in May.

And against the league-best Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, playoff-bound Indiana showed they weren’t backing down from the challenge. The Fever closed their regular-season slate with an 83-72 win, evening the four-game series with Minnesota. For a team going through adversity, that victory felt like validation. So you’d think White would be beaming with joy after such a statement win.

Instead…..her tone was different.

“Yeah, I mean obviously, you know, pleased with being able to get another win. Pleased with the way that the last three games we’ve been able to find ways. Um…not pleased with the fourth quarter,” she admitted. That frustration was rooted in the way Indiana nearly let their control slip. The Fever led by as many as 24 points in the fourth, only for the Lynx to cut into the margin by outscoring them 17-4 down the stretch. White wasn’t about to let that slide.

“So the message is….we’re not happy to just be in the playoffs. Like we want to compete in the playoffs. We want to be a team that is competing for championships,” she laid out her demand firmly. “And in order to compete for championships, you don’t play the score. You don’t play the opponent, you play the standard. And you know, we did not play the standard the last five minutes of the fourth quarter. And we’ve got to be better.” 

She later added that yes, coaches are “never happy,” but it’s also a part of the mentality fever has as a team. 

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