In a dramatic Game 3 of the WNBA first-round playoff matchup, the Indiana Fever stunned the Atlanta Dream with an 8785 road win to advance to the semifinals.
After dropping Game 1 in Atlanta, Indiana rallied to win backtoback elimination games, culminating in a gritty performance in Game 3.
But while the victory was for the record books, what followed was just as powerful: a raw postgame moment where head coach Stephanie White struggled visibly to hold back tears in response to how her players honored her.
During the postgame press conference, White spoke exaltedly about what she saw on the court: resilience, fight, and overcoming adversity.
She said her team “battled through adversity,” making clear that the journey to this win was taxing. Then, Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Howard joined her at the podium and delivered heartfelt testimonials.
Mitchell noted, “I’ve never had a coach that poured into me, respectfully, like Steph has. For the first time in my career, I feel like I have someone that values what I bring as a player and person.”
Howard echoed those sentiments, adding, “She does an amazing job for every person. It’s not just me and Kelsey, but every single person in the team that she believes in. She pours into every single person. It doesn’t matter how you play or how many minutes you’re going to get. She’s going to tell you to be ready at all times (and) go out there and do your part. That’s one thing I love about Steph, how she believes in every single person. She trusts us, no matter what.”
The tearful moment and what it shows
It was clear from her body language that White was deeply moved. The 2024 Coach of the Year, known for her toughness and steady presence, let her guard down.
As the praise from her players washed over her, she wiped her eyes, paused, and momentarily struggled to compose herself. This wasn’t just about one win; it was about everything leading up to it.
For a coach who has been in the league since 2007, this kind of emotional reaction isn’t common, but it speaks volumes.
It suggests the pressure she’s carried all season, through injuries, criticism, moments of doubt, and how meaningful it was to hear players acknowledge her impact not just on the X’s and O’s, but on their confidence, their value as people, and the culture she’s trying to build. The outpouring felt like a validation of her vision for the Fever.
The Fever don’t have much time to bask in this victory. Their next opponent will be the formidable Las Vegas Aces, who clinched their semifinal spot by defeating the Seattle Storm in Game 3.
It’s going to be a tall task: the Aces are among the league’s elite teams.
Game 1 of the semifinal will take place on Sunday at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, with tipoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET.
With momentum and belief now on their side, Indiana enters the matchup as underdogs, but also as a team galvanized by respect, mutual trust, and emotional transparency.
White’s visible emotion may also serve as a rallying point for her squad. When players publicly express belief in their coach, especially in a season filled with obstacles, it can strengthen the bond in the locker room. And in playoff basketball, that kind of unity can be the difference between a narrow loss and a statement win.
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