Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle heralded Indiana Fever’s Stephanie White for putting forth “one of the greatest coaching jobs” that he’s ever seen.
On Tuesday, the Fever’s injury-riddled season came to an official close after Indiana lost in overtime to the Las Vegas Aces, 107-98, in Game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals.
The fact that the Fever managed to fall one game shy of making the Finals is a feat in and of itself considering how depleted their team had become. Star guard Caitlin Clark was ineligible to compete in the WNBA playoffs upon being left off the postseason roster, while 2025 All Star Kelsey Mitchell was forced to exit the contest in the third quarter due to extreme cramping.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Carlisle commended White for successfully navigating the series of obstacles en route to making a deep run in the postseason. “I want to congratulate the Fever,” he began.
READ MORE:Napheesa Collier delivers damning 4-minute statement torching WNBA and Cathy Engelbert
READ MORE:Angel Reese gets straight to the point as Napheesa Collier torches WNBA
“Congratulate Stephanie [White] and Kelly [Krauskopf] and their team for just for a monumental run. I mean, they embody everything that Indiana basketball is about.
“The grit, the guts and everything else, it was amazing to watch, and they were right there. Sad that it ended, but an amazing run and one of the greatest coaching jobs I’ve ever seen.
“They were right there. It was amazing to watch.”
Mitchell and Clark — who was limited to 13 games total while battling left quad and groin injuries, as well as a bone bruise in her left ankle — were far from the only Fever players to go down with health setbacks this year.
Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald suffered season-ending foot and ACL injuries on August 7, respectively, while Sophie Cunningham tore the MCL in her right knee following a collision with Bria Hartley ten days later.
Forward Chloe Bibby, meanwhile, was ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 campaign with a left knee injury on September 4.
On the heels of the Fever’s semifinal exit, White praised Indiana’s resilience and ability to overcome the myriad of roadblocks put in their way this season. “This group is all heart. Man, it’s just really hard to put into words. They’re just special,” she said while struggling to fight back her emotions.
“They have been an absolute joy to coach. It’s an incredible group of women, an incredibly connected group.
“They’re a great example to everybody of what it means to just put one foot in front of the other, to persevere, to welcome people into the fold, to not give into circumstance, to lead with grace and dignity, to sacrifice for the greater good and common good.
“I’m just so thankful to coach these women, and I’m just thankful for this experience with them.”