Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has spoken out to defend her comparatively muted response after Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington struck Sophie Cunningham during a game on Saturday, an incident that reignited debate over how physical fouls involving Fever players are treated in the media. White's stance drew attention because she has previously stayed largely silent when star guard Caitlin Clark has taken hard hits and faced criticism, prompting scrutiny of how she balances protecting her players with avoiding controversy.

Ahead of the Fever's game against the New York Liberty on Tuesday, White addressed the criticism directly, pushing back on suggestions that she had been inconsistent or too passive in standing up for her players, including Cunningham. The incident has become part of a wider row involving Carrington, who separately faced backlash after invoking "white privilege" in response to the reaction over the foul, a comment that drew sharp criticism from several sports commentators.