Image Credit: Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indiana Fever Head Coach Stephanie White to Miss Clash Against Valkyries, Assistant Coach Austin Kelly Steps in

Indiana Fever to be without head coach Stephanie White on Thursday!

Image Credit: Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Indiana Fever, who are set to clash against the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday, June 19, received a big blow ahead of the game. The Caitlin Clark-led side, who are on a two-game winning streak, will be without their head coach Stephanie White. She had to leave the team to deal with a personal matter, and will be away from the team on Thursday. The reason for her absence, however, has not been specified yet and neither is the duration.

It is to be noted that this will be the second game that White has missed this month. Earlier, she was sidelined during the Fever’s 79-52 victory against the Chicago Sky on June 7. As the 47-year-old would be out, assistant coach Austin Kelly would step in for the role of the acting head coach. Kelly addressed the issue during the pre-game conference but didn’t provide any details on White’s situation.

Austin Kelly Addresses Fever’s Strategy During Stephanie White’s Absence

During the pre-game conference, Kelly made a statement and said that despite White’s absence, the team has kept its eye on winning. He said, “Steph’s got some personal stuff going on… It’s kinda business as usual. (I’m) just stepping in. Same message. Our team understands that.” He added, “This group’s focused. We’re refocused. It’s our first West Coast trip of the year. We’re focused on Golden State right now, and come to play, we’re ready.”

Austin Kelly said he found out before the Fever left yesterday that he would be the acting head coach for the second time this season.

On the continuity between him and Steph White: pic.twitter.com/iSHyFj9gCx
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 20, 2025

Notably, in her first season with the Fever, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year, led the side to a 6-5 start as well as to the Commissioner’s Cup finals. Kelly, on the other hand, was a practice player for the team when they won the 2012 championship and began his coaching career in the WNBA as a White’s Connecticut Sun staff member in 2023.

Indiana Fever

Stephanie White

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.