Indiana Fever Announce Coaching Change Before Aces Game

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Indiana Fever Announce Coaching Change Before Aces Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 10:35 AM ET

The Indiana Fever head into Sunday’s matchup against the Las Vegas Aces with renewed confidence after defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 111-87 on Saturday. The victory improved Indiana to 11-8 on the season and strengthened its hold on a playoff spot despite playing without injured star Caitlin Clark, who missed just her second game of the season due to a back issue.

Kelsey Mitchell paced the Fever with 26 points, while Aliyah Boston added 17 points and seven rebounds. Monique Billings scored 15 points, while Tyasha Harris, who replaced Clark in the starting lineup, finished with 16 points and five rebounds.

Indiana Fever guards Caitlin Clark (22), Sophie Cunningham (8), Raven Johnson (3) and forward Myisha Hines-Allen sit on the bench Saturday.USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

As Indiana prepares for its next game, the team made an important coaching announcement involving one of Stephanie White’s top assistants.

According to Fieldhouse Files’ Scott Agness, assistant coach Karima Christmas-Kelly is expecting her second child in the coming weeks, prompting the Fever to adjust their coaching staff.

“Fever asst. Karima Christmas-Kelly is expecting her second child in the coming weeks, so the team has made two moves for added support & stability. Gary Kloppenburg returns as interim team advisor, and once Christmas-Kelly is away, Tully Bevilaqua is elevated to interim asst.”

Fever asst. Karima Christmas-Kelly is expecting her second child in the coming weeks, so the team has made two moves for added support & stability.

Gary Kloppenburg returns as interim team advisor, and once Christmas-Kelly is away, Tully Bevilaqua is elevated to interim asst.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 1, 2026

Christmas-Kelly and her husband, Austin Kelly, welcomed their first child, son Zayn, in 2023.

Christmas-Kelly joined the Fever’s coaching staff in 2023 as part of Christie Sides’ staff and was retained when Stephanie White returned as head coach before the 2025 campaign.

A former WNBA veteran and respected defensive-minded coach, she has played an important role in the development of Indiana’s young core, particularly Boston and Clark, while helping establish the culture that has transformed the Fever into one of the league’s rising contenders.

The Fever will hope Sunday’s meeting with the Aces provides another opportunity to build on Saturday’s win, while Christmas-Kelly prepares for an exciting milestone off the court with the full support of the franchise.

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

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