Why is Stephanie White in danger of missing game vs Sky? Massive concerns for Fever as coach temporarily leaves team

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White was absent on Friday as Aliyah Boston and her teammates prepared for a highly anticipated matchup against the Chicago Sky. The Fever are set to face Angel Reese and company at the United Center on Saturday in the second meeting between the two teams this season.

White’s availability for the game remains uncertain as she has temporarily stepped away from the team due to personal reasons. According to Indiana reporter Chloe Peterson, White did not travel with the team to Chicago on Friday afternoon.

Should White be unavailable for Saturday’s game, assistant coach Austin Kelly is expected to step in as acting head coach. The Fever’s coaching staff also includes Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January. Prior to the start of the season, White expressed confidence in her staff’s ability to lead the team if she were ever unable to be on the sidelines.

"My staff is so good, and trusting in them that if I needed to be away for a period of time, it's status quo," White had said.

White's potential absence could be a blow for the Fever, especially with two of the team’s star players already ruled out for the matchup against Chicago. Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham remain sidelined due to their respective injuries, leaving the Fever shorthanded heading into the high-stakes showdown.

Fever fans react to Stephanie White news

Social media quickly lit up following the news that Stephanie White might miss Saturday’s game against the Chicago Sky. Concerned Indiana Fever fans expressed support for the team’s head coach.

A fan said:

wolley

@ahshhsh117

Hope everything is okay. By her status being TBD do you mean that she won’t travel with the team but there is still a chance she’ll make it on her own to Chicago (if everything is okay with her of course)?

Another fan said:

I’ll never forget you Bobby Nash♡⋆*ೃ:.

@caitlinclarks

oh no 😔 I really hope that she’s okay. This makes me think that Caitlin was trying to cheer her up with that friendship bracelet she gave to her last game

A user commented:

ev riley

@evriley

It’s got to be something family related. 🙏❤️

Another user wrote:

Gray Quetti

@gray_quetti

I hope all is ok. We'll make do if you need the extra time.

The Fever snapped their three-game losing streak with a victory over the Washington Mystics in their most recent outing. The team holds a 3-4 record and sits seventh in the league and third in the Eastern Conference.