Imago
July 15, 2025, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White during the pre-game press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz before the game against the Connecticut Sun at TD Garden Boston USA – ZUMAw109 20250715_fap_w109_004 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
Imago
July 15, 2025, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White during the pre-game press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz before the game against the Connecticut Sun at TD Garden Boston USA – ZUMAw109 20250715_fap_w109_004 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
For Stephanie White and the Indiana Fever, the weight of expectation is more than just a championship chase; it’s a daily psychological battle. The biggest fanbase in the league is expecting nothing less than a title after taking the Aces to Game 5 in the semifinal with a mashed-up squad last year. In addition, there is no guarantee they will be able to continue this core beyond 2026, with the likes of Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham on one-year deals. The pressure comes along with some extra psychological challenges. But White has revealed a thorough process in her camp to deal with them.
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“We implement things pre-practice to help us be present and mentally find ways to minimize distraction. We talk about it. There are a lot of things going on with sports betting,” White said. “There are a lot of unkind people on social media. There are a lot of things you have to deal with that come with the territory. We want to prepare and give as many resources as we can to our players.”
2024 saw a 108% increase in betting on just one platform for the WNBA. While there is a league-wide increase, it’s different for the Indiana Fever, who have Caitlin Clark. In 2025, when Clark played, there was a 40% increase in overall betting handle on HardRockBet from the league average.
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Last year, it was only 13 games, but they expect her to be available for every game this season. The abuse and hate on social media increase further when money is on the line. And it is something the players must manage. The team can’t afford for that to seep into the performance.
A few years ago, the fans were different. There wasn’t that same weight with just about 1,000 fans filling the Gainbridge Field House. They were barely telecast nationally, and not much money was invested in them. Things are much different in 2026 as the WNBA has grown exponentially, and White has admitted the mental health concerns that come with this growth.
“It’s the nature of the beast. It’s how far we’ve come. We’re going to, as players and coaches, deal with things we haven’t had to before,” White told the media. “We have a sports performance coach, Dr. Jamie Rubin. She works with us and with the Pacers. She does a great job of being a resource and being available.”
Beyond the pressure from fans, the economic machine is bigger, not just in higher wages but also in sponsorship revenue. This adds another layer of pressure for the players.
Research suggests that larger wages and financial awards increase players’ anxiety and coping skills. However, take that with a grain of salt, as it is research on male football players. Then there are all the injuries and the tough season they had last year. They soldiered through a season in which most of their core suffered season-ending injuries, which adds another dimension to their thought process. While Stephanie White deals with the negative side of having thousands of fans, she has presented a clear challenge for the Fever base ahead of their second preseason game.
Star power and fresh expectations set the stage for Fever’s home return.
Stephanie White and Co. brushed off the New York Liberty in the first preseason game. Caitlin Clark returned to the court in a Fever jersey after nine months, getting the fans excited and hyped. The first game of the season and a new era marked a special moment for the Fever. However, for the second game against the Wings, they return home, and White expects a grand welcome from their fans.
“Really looking forward to it, our fans are incredible,” White said. “We expect it to be a packed house, we expect it to be a great environment. It’s been a long time since last fall, the last time that we were able to play a game in our home arena. Really looking forward to playing at home and getting an opportunity. We have a lot of early home games too, so it should be good for us.”
And it probably will be. Caitlin Clark alone brings the buzz, but this one has a little more to it. With Paige Bueckers and No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd on the other side, it’s not just hype; it’s a real test.
But for Indiana, the bigger story isn’t just the matchup. It’s everything they’re carrying into it. Last season took a toll with injuries piling up, and even though they pushed through, that kind of stretch stays within a team. It shows up in the caution, in how minutes are managed, and in the decision not to rush players back. So while Dallas may look improved, this game is just as much about whether the Fever can find a rhythm without putting themselves back in the same spot yet again.
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Snigdhaa Jaiswal