Indiana Fever Head Coach Calls Out Officiating ‘Double Standards’ After Loss to Wings

The Indiana Fever are trying their best to keep winning games after playing without Caitlin Clark for much of the season.

Indiana Fever Head Coach Calls Out Officiating ‘Double Standards’ After Loss to Wings

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White (Image via FirstSportz)

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Caitlin Clark is still nowhere close to returning for the Indiana Fever. Without her, the team has done a decent enough job so far, but needs to continue pushing for wins to finish in a favorable playoff spot.

After losing both their substitute point guards, the team signed a replacement, but knew it would take a few games to get adjusted to the new system.

To avoid any initial disruptions, Fever head coach Stephanie White decided to keep fresh signing Odyssey Sims on the bench and instead continue with the team that is familiar with each other’s playing style.

The lack of a true passer became apparent when the Dallas Wings started attacking the Fever’s passing lanes, forcing turnovers and using those opportunities to score on the other end.

To make matters worse, the home team was called for a lot of fouls, which the Wings used to their advantage and pulled into a commanding lead. On the other hand, they did not get enough calls their way, and that is what White decided to focus on at the post-game press conference.

I think there is a double standard in how people get their calls. Kelsey Mitchell is held or chucked on every freaking possession and never gets a call. Aliyah Boston is the worst officiated post player in the league. She never gets a call… Call it both ways.

Stephanie White said

The 48-year-old believes her players are not getting the foul calls just as the other team is getting. She wants the double standards to go, as the Indiana Fever are not getting a fair shot in a game.

Sophie Cunningham jokes about using God’s name after incorrect foul call

One of the instances of unfair foul calls was when Sophie Cunningham was called for one on Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers. The replays show that it was the latter who pushed the Fever guard away.

At the time of the foul, the replay screens showed that it was indeed an offensive foul on Bueckers. However, the game was in session, and the officials did not bother reviewing.

When Cunningham saw the replay, she yelled out ‘Goddammit’. It was out of frustration as she knew she did not commit a foul. Later, she took to X to clarify her stance.

I didn’t mean to say the Lords name in vain BUT…..

Sophie Cunningham wrote

The 28-year-old reiterated that her using God’s name was in vain, as the officials did not seem to want to review their own calls. She scored 14 points and helped the Fever stage a comeback, but it was also in vain.

Loss sees Indiana Fever slide down the standings

The Indiana Fever mounted a furious rally in the 4th quarter and brought the deficit down to 1 point. At the end, they could not get their fairytale ending as the Dallas Wings managed to stop the home team from getting an easy shot at the basket.

Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham at the game
Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham at the game (Image via Open Source/X)

The 80-81 loss will sting a bit as the Fever could have won this game if not for some bad turnovers in the first half, and the lack of focus in the 3rd quarter, when the Wings built up a lead.

After the last 5-game winning streak pushed them up to 5th in the standings, this 3rd loss in the last 4 games has brought them down a notch.

The Fever are now 6th in the standings and face two more bottom rung teams. They need to win the next 2 games to arrest this slide. Moreover, they have to find ways to win games, as they are just 3 games away from losing out on a playoff spot.

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