Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images; Grace Smith/IndyStar via Imagn Images

Fever Coach Stephanie White's Replacement Sends Strong Message on Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 12:13 PM ET

The Indiana Fever are headed back to the drawing board after a recent loss to the Golden State Valkyries.

Indiana lost 88-77 in their first game against the Valkyries. Golden State is playing in its inaugural season, having acquired its team via the expansion draft during the offseason.

While Indiana entered the game with momentum, having won back-to-back games with Caitlin Clark, it met its match.

Clark struggled throughout the game, and acting head coach Austin Kelly believes the opposing teams have had the same game plan playing against the Fever guard all season.

"Be physical with her, that’s been the game plan all year long," Kelly said.

Kelly is serving as the acting head coach for the Fever as head coach Stephanie White has been ruled out due to "personal reasons."

This is now the second game of the season in which Kelly replaced White as the standing head coach. She previously missed a matchup against the Chicago Sky due to "personal reasons."

Austin Kelly on Caitlin Clark being guarded vs. Golden State

"Be physical with her, that’s been the game plan all year long."
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) June 20, 2025

Clark finished the matchup against the Golden State Valkyries with 11 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. She had six turnovers in the loss and shot 21.4% from the field.

The Indiana Fever guard also shot 0-7 from three-point range, marking the second time she's gone scoreless from three-point land this season.

Clark will have a chance to bounce back from a tough shooting performance when the Indiana Fever play the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

With the loss to the Valkyries, the Fever fell to 6-6 on the season.

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

More must-reads: