Indiana Fever Collapse Again: Brutal Second Half Raises New Questions About Coach Stephanie White
The Indiana Fever had hope. They walked into halftime against the New York Liberty with a narrow 46–42 lead, momentum on their side, and fans buzzing about a potential upset. But what followed was a complete unraveling—one that left viewers speechless and once again questioning whether head coach Stephanie White is the right person to lead this team.
What happened in the second half wasn’t just a loss. It was a full-on implosion.
The Liberty exploded for 56 points in the second half—27 in the third quarter and 29 in the fourth—while the Fever seemed to freeze. Offensive execution vanished. Defensive energy evaporated. And the coaching? Missing in action.
A Tale of Two Halves
Sophie Cunningham came out on fire, dropping 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including several long-range bombs that energized the squad. Natasha Howard got things started early too with a hot hand. Kelsey Mitchell? She was nothing short of electric, finishing with 29 points and carrying the Fever when others disappeared.
But here’s where it gets baffling.
After showcasing her scoring ability in the first half, Cunningham was barely seen again. The ball simply stopped finding her. It was as if the team forgot who had the hot hand. Mitchell, in the midst of a breakout game, was mysteriously benched for long stretches just as the Liberty went on their run. Howard faded, and the offensive rhythm vanished completely.
Despite repeated signs of trouble, Coach White failed to call timely timeouts. The Liberty ran wild—at one point outscoring Indiana by double digits before White took any meaningful action. By then, it was far too late. Sabrina Ionescu, even after sitting most of the second half, came in and hit a trio of backbreaking threes. Jonquel Jones, back from injury, put up a dominant 18-point, 9-rebound performance.
The Fever never recovered.
Where’s the Coaching?
This wasn’t a one-off. The Fever have made a habit of second-half collapses this season. It’s become a defining trait of the team under White’s leadership. Game after game, they start strong and then disintegrate after the break.
Critics are asking the obvious question: Why isn’t Stephanie White adjusting?
In modern basketball, halftime is when coaches earn their money. It’s not about how well you prepare—it’s how you respond when the other team punches back. And once again, White didn’t have an answer.
The defense never adapted. The rotations stayed stubborn. And White sat players like Mitchell while the Liberty turned the game into a track meet.
The Caitlin Clark Question
With star rookie Caitlin Clark still sidelined, another pressing issue has entered the conversation: should she even come back this season?
Without her, the Fever are now 4–7. With her, they’re 8–5. Clearly, she makes a difference—but can she save a team that refuses to fix its core issues? Fans are starting to wonder if Clark should prioritize long-term health over a season that seems destined to end in disappointment.
If this team can’t find cohesion, can’t protect leads, and can’t execute in crunch time—what’s the point?
Even if Clark returns, the team may not gel in time to make a deep playoff run. The burden of turning this around shouldn’t fall solely on a rookie—especially one nursing injuries. The coaching staff needs to show they’re capable of steering the ship.
One Bright Spot
Amid the chaos, one small moment stood out: Aaliyah Boston reached 1,500 career points. A quiet milestone in an otherwise noisy night.
What’s Next?
If Indiana doesn’t figure out how to finish games—and fast—this season will slip away. Fans are angry, players seem frustrated, and questions are growing louder.
Does Stephanie White still have the locker room?
Are the right players seeing the floor at the right times?
And most importantly—can this team ever hold onto a lead?
Until answers come, games like this will continue to feel more like gut punches than growing pains. For Fever fans, hope is running out—and patience is right behind it.
