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Fever Coach Stephanie White Makes Opinion of Brittney Griner Extremely Clear

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated May 21, 2025 6:49 AM ET

The Indiana Fever are looking to make a big jump from the 20-20 record they had last year to championship contention this year.

They blew out the Chicago Sky in their 2025 season opener, 93-58, on Saturday, but they lost to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday. They fell behind early to the Dream, only to mount a late rally that fell short and resulted in a 91-90 defeat for them.

Brittney Griner, the 9-time All-Star center, excelled with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and eight rebounds for Atlanta.

New Fever head coach Stephanie White couldn't help but praise Griner, as well as Atlanta forward Brionna Jones, afterward.

"I thought AB was outstanding...BG and Bri Jones are two of the best bigs in our league, and we need to grow from it," White said.

Stephanie White on Aliyah Boston

"I thought AB was outstanding...BG and Bri Jones are two of the best bigs in our league, and we need to grow from it."
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) May 21, 2025

Griner and Jones are the two new additions to the Dream that are leading them to, pun intended, dream of reaching the playoffs and making some noise there this season.

The team went 15-25 last year, giving it its sixth straight losing record. It hasn't won a playoff series since 2016 and hasn't gotten to the WNBA Finals since 2013.

Griner is a living legend, and she is still going strong at age 34 and in her 12th pro season. She has won two Defensive Player of the Year awards and two scoring titles, and she helped lead the Phoenix Mercury to the championship back in 2014.

Jones, meanwhile, has made the All-Star team in three of the last four seasons. Both women signed with Atlanta as free agents during the offseason.

For the Fever, Caitlin Clark had 27 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and two steals while going 5-of-11 from 3-point range on Tuesday. Forward Aliyah Boston scored 24 points added 10 rebounds and two blocks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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