It’s been a rocky road for the Indiana Fever lately, and following a tough loss in Baltimore, things have only gotten more intense. Head coach Stephanie White confirmed postgame that she had been fined by the WNBA — a revelation that’s shedding light on growing tensions within the league.

After a frustrating performance against the Washington Mystics, White spoke candidly with reporters, offering an unfiltered look at the team’s struggles and the challenges they’ve faced on and off the court. The biggest headline, however, came when she revealed she was recently fined — presumably for comments directed at officiating following a previous matchup against the New York Liberty.

“We’ve got to be able to rely on our defense,” White said, acknowledging both defensive breakdowns and what she perceived as inconsistent officiating. “I don’t want to get fined again, but I did just get fined,” she admitted, with a knowing smile.

The loss was made worse by the absence of star rookie Caitlin Clark, who sat out due to rest. Without her playmaking, the Fever’s offense looked disjointed, struggling in transition and failing to get key players like Aliyah Boston involved. “Our pace was different without her,” White said. “We didn’t get anything in transition, and we settled far too often.”

Clark’s absence was felt beyond the scoreboard. Her ability to push the pace, create shots, and energize the crowd has made her a central figure in the WNBA this season. Still, White emphasized that the team can’t rely on any one player. “We have depth. We brought in quality players for a reason,” she said. “This is an opportunity for others to step up.”

But the buzz wasn’t just about tactics or execution. White also addressed the league’s approach to officiating and physical play — a topic that has dominated headlines in recent weeks. When asked about the need for more protection for star players like Clark, White was diplomatic but honest.

“We’ve made an effort to protect airborne shooters on the perimeter,” she said. “But we don’t do as good a job near the rim.” She went on to call for more consistency in how games are called. “We can have physical games, or we can have free-flowing ones — just not both in the same night.”

Despite frustrations, White took time to highlight the leadership and professionalism of her players, particularly Clark, who was seen signing autographs for fans even though she wasn’t in uniform. “That’s who she is,” White said. “She remembers being the little girl in the stands. Now she’s inspiring the next generation.”

On the court, however, the Fever were flat. They couldn’t find rhythm, struggled with shot selection, and gave up fast-break points on multiple possessions. “We have to clean up the shot selection,” White said. “Poor shots lead to runouts. That’s something we’ve got to fix.”

The game also saw strong play from Washington’s Brittney Sykes, who imposed her will on both ends of the floor. “She’s tough. She plays with swagger, and she sets the tone for them,” White said. “We didn’t match that energy for four quarters.”

The loss drops Indiana deeper into a hole in the standings, and though they’re not in panic mode, the urgency is rising. The Fever were expected to take a leap forward this season — especially with a generational talent like Clark — but early returns have been inconsistent.

Fans packed the arena in Baltimore, eager to see a WNBA game in a new market. The energy was electric, but the Fever failed to deliver. Now, with rising scrutiny from fans, the media, and league officials, White and her team are under the microscope.

“The effort is there,” White said. “But the execution has to follow. And as coaches, we’ve got to put our players in better positions.”

The big question now: can the Fever bounce back? With Clark expected to return soon, hope isn’t lost. But the pressure is growing — and so is the spotlight.

For Stephanie White, the message is clear: officiating matters, star power helps, but winning cures everything.