Fever Coach Stephanie White Sends 'Desperate' Message After Wings Loss

Fever Coach Stephanie White Sends 'Desperate' Message After Wings Loss

Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White addressed their tough loss to the Dallas Wings.

Paolo Songco
Aug 21
Fever Coach Stephanie White Sends 'Desperate' Message After Wings Loss

The Dallas Wings snapped the Indiana Fever’s five-game winning streak on Thursday, 91-85.

It was a neck-and-neck game, as there were nine lead changes. The Wings mounted the largest lead of the game at 11 points, but the Fever came roaring back.

Arike Ogunbowale led the way for the Wings with 32 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal. Jessica Shepard had 26 points and eight rebounds, while Paige Bueckers chipped in 13 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

Head coach Stephanie White’s players achieved career milestones despite the loss.

Makayla Timpson notched her first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell had a game-high 37 points to go along with five assists and one steal. She also extended her WNBA record for most consecutive games scoring 20+ points to 21.

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0).

Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Coach White talked about their lapses during the game and what the Fever can do to improve.

“I think the biggest thing is we got to be better on the defensive end of the floor,” White said during her postgame interview. “I think (in) the first matchup, we gave them over 100 points; we gave them 91 here today.”

The 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year also praised Dallas’ adjustments during the game that led to the win.

“They forced us to guard one-on-one,” she said. “We’ve improved on the defensive end, but we gotta continue to grow in those areas.”

“We got to finish plays. 12 second-chance points in the second half when we’re trying to make a comeback. All those possessions matter. At the end of the day, it’s a possession game.”

White then sent a strong message about both teams’ sense of urgency in this one.

“They were desperate, and we’re desperate too, and we gotta play like it,” the Fever coach said.

Indiana’s next game will be against the New York Liberty on Saturday at the Barclays Center. They have a chance to get back on track and get their 25th win of the season.

Related: Caitlin Clark’s Incredible Gesture for Fever Teammates, Revealed

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