“I am confident there is no one who better understands our culture or is more equipped to lead our group of players to the next level,” Kelly Krauskopf, Indiana Fever President of Basketball Operations, had said on welcoming Stephanie White. Kelly was confident that the new HC held the capability to efficiently lead the team to new heights.
Needless to say, she has significantly improved the locker room culture and instilled hope in the players. A championship became everyone’s vision for 2025. But the new look Indiana is treading a little farther away, 3-4 on the scorecard, and a never-empty injury report. It isn’t getting better. Because, as the Fever gear up to face the Chicago Sky for the second time, there’s uncertainty around the presence of another one of their pillars, their HC.
Why is Stephanie White Not Traveling With the Fever Team Right Now?
IndyStar sports reporter, Chloe Peterson, broke the news of White’s absence on social media a day ahead of the game against the Sky. “An additional note: head coach Steph White was not with the team today because of personal reasons,” she posted on X. Neither the team nor the HC has confirmed the reasons for White’s absence. But given her ambiguous status as of now, all we know for sure is that White is not traveling with the Indiana Fever roster.
“She will not travel with the team to Chicago this afternoon. Her status for the game tomorrow is TBD,” Chloe further added. But if all goes well, we might actually see White pull up at the United Centre arena. After all, Chicago is approximately a three-hour drive from Indianapolis.
As a team that struggled without Caitlin Clark’s presence in the roster, it was the head coach who kept the team’s spirit high and running. She brought the 2024 ROTY to the sidelines, encouraged her to get the coaching staff’s view, pushed Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham to step up, and bolstered confidence in the otherwise shaken team.
But after their previous win against the Mystics, the Fever look like they have found a rhythm, thanks in large part to Aari McDonald. So maybe it wouldn’t be all that hard to navigate without White against a team they defeated by a 35-point margin.
Who Will Lead the Indiana Fever in Stephanie White’s Absence?
“My staff is so good and trusting in them that if I needed to be away for a period of time, it’s status quo,” Stephanie White had remarked earlier this year. So, even if she’s out for a day, the Fever can rely on the staff to skillfully guide them. But Chloe Peterson has a name to tighten the system a little.
“First assistant coach Austin Kelly would be the acting head coach if White is unavailable, I’m told. The Fever also have Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January as assistants,” she shared on X.
First assistant coach Austin Kelly would be the acting head coach if White is unavailable, I’m told.
The Fever also have Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January as assistants. https://t.co/AlZfbMqbAP
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 6, 2025
Austin Kelly has a demonstrative experience as a basketball coach in both men’s and women’s leagues. He was associated with the Connecticut Sun before joining Indiana Fever this season, meaning, he has spent three years under White. So, expect a reliable hand there.
Having said that, Kelly was present during the practice sessions today and answered the media questions instead of White. He even provided a positive response on Sophie Cunningham’s performance. Besides, Kelly will be joined by supporting staff, Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January to aid him in White’s absence.
Assistant coach Karima, who joined Fever in 2025, also happens to be the wife of Austin Kelly. They have worked together in shaping the Indiana Fever’s roster this year. But their true coaching skills will be put to test on Saturday, when they are expected to reprise their roles. On the other hand, Briann January was a former Indiana Fever player, who has played approximately 14 seasons in the league. Drafted as the 6th overall pick in 2009, January has been associated with Fever, Phoenix Mercury, Connecticut Sun, and Seattle Storm. However, she turned to coaching in 2022 and served as an assistant coach under Stephanie White since 2023.
These coaches have spent enough time under White and with Indiana Fever’s roster to understand the strategies. They are aware of what each athlete in the team is capable of. And they know how to bolster them from the coaching bench, in case White fails to show up.
How Could Stephanie White’s Absence Impact the Fever’s Game Against the Sky?
Indiana Fever began their regular season against Chicago Sky on May 17. The team had both Clark and White back then, playing a crucial role in getting Indiana that 93-58 win. CC had put up a 20-point, 10-rebound, and 10-assist performance seamlessly. But these weren’t the only factors at play. Fever also had a home court advantage. With the team losing all three of those now, things may seem a little bleak. However, Sky head coach Tyler Marsh feels otherwise.
Talking to reporters after the news of White’s probable absence broke on the internet, Marsh was quick to point out that the Fever’s roster is an unstoppable force. “I think that they’re still extremely formidable. They came away with the victory the other day,” Marsh began. “Aliyah Boston is still a load inside, and then Kelsey Mitchell is still being Kelsey Mitchell. So we got our work cut out for us, but every game, no matter who is playing, is a challenge.”
That’s a point to note. In their third win of the season, Mitchell went 7 of 14 from the field, posting game-high 24 points. Boston went a perfect 5-of-5 while Lexie Hull exploded for 14 points. Veterans DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard have had their moments in previous games, so don’t count them out. Tyler Marsh isn’t. “They’re well-coached, they’re still a good team. And so we’ve got to be prepared on all fronts,” he added.
Saturday’s matchup will be a true test for championship-eyeing Indiana.
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