Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game
Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When the Indiana Fever took the court at the United Center on Saturday night, they did so without head coach Stephanie White.
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Instead, assistant Austin Kelly stepped in, implementing the game plan that led to a decisive 79-52 victory over the Chicago Sky.
On Monday, White addressed reporters in Indianapolis, offering her first public remarks on the circumstances that kept her away and her confidence in the staff she's assembled.
'I thought he (Kelly) was great," White said. "It's not a surprise. When you look at Austin and (assistant coach) Bri (January), both of them are ready to be head coaches in this league. ... They've grown, they've learned, they've taken advantage of their opportunities. And it's not a hesitation at all. If I can't be here, they're ready."
White's remarks came after a weekend spent away tending to personal matters, which White briefly spoke on, saying, "It's helpful that we have such a great group that poured into me and helped give me strength. ... Our family's working through a hard time right now."
Kelly, the former Sun assistant under White, and Briann January, the defensive stalwart who starred in Indiana's championship run in 2012 as a player, form a coaching tandem brimming with potential.
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Kelly, who transitioned from collegiate roles at UT Arlington and Vanderbilt, earned his first head-coaching win on Saturday.
January, who joined the staff in April, has already been instrumental in shoring up perimeter defense and veteran leadership on a young roster.
Through eight games, Indiana averages 84.5 points per game while allowing just 76.4, both of which rank third in the WNBA.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (right) and head coach Stephanie White.Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images
White's vote of confidence arrives as the Fever aim to right the ship without their star, Caitlin Clark, who has been out since May 24 with a quad injury. White announced Monday that Clark will not play in the Fever's next game.
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Indiana is 2-2 in Clark's absence and 4-4 on the season.
Looking ahead, the Fever head on the road Tuesday to face the 5-3 Atlanta Dream, hoping to build on Kelly's success.
Related: Chicago Sky Coach Sends Message After Angel Reese Decision
Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Actions During Chicago Sky Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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