Stephanie White fined again as WNBA officiating conversation grows louder
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon were fined as frustrations over WNBA officiating intensifies.
LAS VEGAS — The Indiana Fever landed in Las Vegas Monday morning, then took the court at Michelob Ultra Arena for a light practice leading into their win-or-go-home Game 5 against the Aces.
It’s the biggest game of their season. It could be their last — or simply another chapter.
Yet in nearly every chapter of this WNBA season, officiating has been a dominant storyline. It’s one of the league’s loudest debates, and something that will require attention once the season ends. Coaches, players, media, and fans are all engaged in the conversation.
Fever head coach Stephanie White was asked by a Las Vegas TV reporter whether she was comfortable with how physical this semifinal series has been.
“I already got fined for supporting Cheryl, which I think is crazy,” she replied, referencing Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, who was ejected in Game 3 of their semifinals against Phoenix and then suspended for Game 4. “Look, there’s nothing that we want more than just consistency. That’s what I would say.”
Just one day earlier, before Game 4 of Fever vs. Aces in Indianapolis, both coaches’ press conferences began with questions about officiating.
Reeve had publicly called for new leadership overseeing officials, labeling it “malpractice” that her team received the crew assigned to Game 3, when MVP candidate Napheesa Collier suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Phoenix went on to win the game and series.
(That same crew was assigned to Game 4 of Fever-Aces.)
Aces coach Becky Hammon spent the first four minutes of her pregame availability answering questions on that topic.
“From what I heard, she did not tell a lie,” Hammon said. “She said the truth. … You have to protect your product.