“We Didn’t Get the Calls”: Stephanie White FURIOUS Over Controversial Officiating as Fever Fall to Sparks

In a game that was supposed to be an easy win, the Indiana Fever found themselves at the center of controversy — and head coach Stephanie White is making sure the world hears about it.

Coming off a dominant three-game win streak, the Fever had dismantled top-tier teams like the Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, and Dallas Wings. Even without star rookie Caitlin Clark — out for the fifth straight game due to a groin injury — the Fever were widely expected to cruise past the struggling Los Angeles Sparks, one of the worst teams in the league. ESPN gave Indiana a 72.9% chance of victory. The sportsbooks favored them by 6.5 points. But what unfolded on the court left fans and players stunned, and Coach White furious.

Despite missing Clark, key bench contributor Deiris Dantas (on international duty), and recent departure Dana Bonner, the Fever came out swinging. Aaliyah Boston was a powerhouse in the paint, putting up 23 points and 12 rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell dropped 19 and nailed three clutch three-pointers, while Natasha Howard added 21 points and 9 boards. The Fever played like a team refusing to fold — but what they didn’t count on was the refs.

The game was marred by one baffling call after another, tilting momentum squarely in favor of the Sparks. Physical play went unpunished when it came from LA, while Indiana’s stars were routinely called for soft touch fouls. Aaliyah Boston — arguably the best center in the WNBA — found herself in foul trouble yet again despite clean play. At one point, Sparks guard Lexie Brown was literally elbowed and stepped over, and no whistle blew. Sophie Cunningham was grabbed around the neck, and instead of a foul, the officials called a jump ball.

The boiling point came in the post-game press conference when Coach White, usually composed and calculated, let her emotions show in just five cutting words:
“We didn’t get the calls.”

That was all she needed to say. Those five words encapsulated the mounting frustration of a team that had done everything right — only to see their efforts neutralized by officiating that many are calling rigged.

“There were inconsistencies in the officiating,” White elaborated, visibly drained after watching her team get robbed of a deserved victory. “Wait until you see the second half — I have everything.”

The Fever’s entire offensive flow has relied heavily on Clark’s playmaking ability, and her absence has forced role players into unfamiliar territory. Still, the team responded with heart, resilience, and standout performances. Mitchell reached her 251st career game — second most in franchise history — and continued her impressive scoring run, averaging over 21 points during Clark’s absence. Boston continues to play at an MVP-caliber level, and Howard’s veteran poise provided stability.

What makes this loss sting even more is that it shouldn’t have happened. With three All-Star-level players performing at an elite level and the Sparks barely scraping wins this season, the outcome should have been a blowout. But as the fourth quarter unfolded, the game slipped away — not because of skill or effort, but because of blatant officiating errors.

Cunningham being thrown to the ground. Boston racking up phantom fouls. No whistle when Howard was hit across the face. Two inexplicable fouls in a row on Michaela Timpson. The officiating didn’t just ruin momentum — it stole control of the game.

This isn’t the first time WNBA officiating has been under scrutiny. But for Stephanie White and the Fever, this was the most egregious example yet. With so much on the line — momentum, playoff seeding, player morale — the margin for error is razor-thin. And when the officials make themselves the story, the integrity of the game is put in question.

Still, there’s a silver lining. This loss proved the depth and resilience of the Fever roster. Even without Clark, Dantas, and Bonner, the team stayed competitive for 40 minutes. Boston and Mitchell continue to grow into franchise leaders. And Clark’s return could come as early as next week, with the Fever eyeing a rematch tour against the very teams that took advantage of their depleted lineup.

This loss may go down as one of the most frustrating of the season — but it might also become the turning point. The fire has been lit. The team now has receipts.

And when they’re fully healthy?