Fever fall short vs. Liberty after controversial no-calls: 'Disrespect right now for our team has been pretty unbelievable'
Indiana nearly delivers signature win over defending champs, but missed chances — and a missed foul call — doom them late. Coach Stephanie White didn’t hold back postgame.
When the WNBA schedule came out five months ago, one of the first games circled for the Indiana Fever was this one — at home against the New York Liberty, the featured game on CBS. Against the reigning WNBA champions.
For a team with so much changeover — starting at the top down — and with so much promise, this would be a good measuring stick for a group with championship intentions.
“They've accomplished what we're striving to do, and they returned the nucleus of that team,” head coach Stephanie White said pregame. “So I think for us, it's a good challenge.”
Added Caitlin Clark: “It'll be a great gauge for us to see where we are. They're a really deep team. Everybody in this league knows how good they are. It's a one-day prep for us, so we've got to turn the page from Atlanta really fast.”
Given the significant overhaul, what they need most is time and reps together. Observe what they’re doing now, but wait to judge how they look until July — after the All-Star break.
Right now, it’s about building chemistry, learning a new system, and finally placing an emphasis on the defensive side of the floor.
The sellout crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (17,274) saw the Fever go toe-to-toe with the champs. They just didn’t do it with the consistency needed.
They allowed the Liberty (3-0) to score 30 and 25 points in the first and second quarters, respectively. They’re allowing too many runs — 11-2, 18-1, and 16-2 — where they’re not getting stops and then not producing on the offensive end. Combine those three runs and it’s 45-5.
“I think consistency is definitely where we can be a lot better,” Clark agreed. “Feels like every game we've really only put two quarters together. We're kind of waiting for that four quarters of really good basketball. And I think it's going to be a learning curve. This group is new. We haven't played a ton together. But that's what's going to have to happen if we want to beat the really good teams in this league.”
And yet, the Fever (2-2) hung around and are too potent to be completely out of it. After a deficit of 15 and a lead of 12, this one was tied at 88 with 1:18 to play.
Aliyah Boston missed a hook shot at the rim. Clark missed a 3-pointer. DeWanna Bonner appeared to be fouled on a layup attempt. Kelsey Mitchell missed a floater.
And still, the Fever had a chance to win it.
Sophie Cunningham, playing in her second game of the season, inbounded it from the sideline to Clark between the circles. Clark drove left and, as she moved into her shooting motion, Natasha Cloud reached in.
No call.
Clark, the Fever — everyone was furious. She didn’t get the shot off, and no foul was called. The Liberty prevailed, 90-88. Before leaving the court, several players and coach White made sure the officials knew how they felt.
There were two things different about the postgame press conference. A can of Olipop sat on the table — part of a new sponsorship deal — and general manager Amber Cox followed White into the interview room. She sat in the back, watching and listening as White let her feelings known.