Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White will sit out her second game of the season due to personal reasons when the team faces off against the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday night in San Francisco. The Fever, currently holding a record of 6-5, announced that assistant coach Austin Kelly will step in as the acting head coach for this match against the 5-6 Valkyries.
Austin Kelly previously took on head coaching responsibilities on June 7, leading the Fever to a decisive 79-52 victory over the Chicago Sky. He expressed confidence in maintaining the team’s strategies, stating, “It’s going to be the same. I think we are an extension of each other.” Kelly emphasized the importance of teamwork and defense as key elements for success, sharing that the players are focused on supporting each other both defensively and offensively.
This marks White’s second term as head coach for Indiana, having previously led the team from 2015 to 2016. She returned to the Fever after two seasons with the Connecticut Sun. While White’s absence is felt, the Fever remain optimistic as they continue to strive for success on the court. This situation exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of the team as they face new challenges head-on.