Dan Dakich on Indiana Fever coach's response to GOP letter
Sports analyst Dan Dakich slams Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White for her evasive response regarding a GOP letter to the WNBA. The letter addresses concerns about Caitlin Clark's treatment, with reports suggesting some attacks are racially motivated. Dakich questions the coach's failure to defend her star player and the league's lack of support, despite Congress's involvement in the matter.
The Indiana Fever kept their momentum rolling Wednesday night, cruising to a third straight victory with a 123-88 rout of the Connecticut Sun. Just hours after being unveiled as an NBA 2K27 cover athlete, Caitlin Clark led the way with 27 points and 11 assists for another double-double.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama and 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose were also featured on this year’s shared video game cover.
Clark's teammate, Kelsey Mitchell, added 23 points and the Fever set a franchise record for points in a game. Aliyah Boston, the top pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, scored 22 points for Indiana.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is introduced before the game against the Connecticut Sun on July 22, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Fever also had the biggest half in franchise history when they led 70-46 at the break. It was the third-highest scoring game in league history without overtime.
Monique Billings and Tyasha Harris added 12 points apiece for Indiana, while the Fever connected on 11 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc.
Clark headed to the locker room with 21 points at the half.
Wednesday's win improved Indiana's record to 17-10, and the Fever will enter the All-Star break atop the Eastern Conference standings, just a half-game ahead of the Atlanta Dream.
Indiana Fever forward Monique Billings (25) drives to the basket against the Connecticut Sun on July 22, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty Images)
Clark is now one technical foul away from an automatic one-game suspension after being assessed her seventh technical of the season during a third-quarter incident Wednesday involving Sun guard Saniya Rivers.
With Rivers defending her, Clark dribbled across the top of the key and drew a reach-in foul on Olivia Nelson-Ododa with less than 30 seconds left in the quarter. As Clark tossed the ball to a referee, Rivers appeared to make a gesture toward the Fever guard, sparking an exchange of words.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 22, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Officials assessed technical fouls to both players after the exchange.
"She said she was locking me up, so I said, 'scoreboard,' and the ref didn't like that," Clark explained after the game.
Clark said the threat of an automatic suspension with her next technical foul would not "hinder" the way she plays going forward.
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"I'm never going to back down," she told reporters. "I think just continue to try to control your emotions the best you can. That intensity and that fire is what makes me me, but also knowing my team needs me and finding a good balance of that. But I don't think I'm going to be playing with that in the back of my head."
Clark’s seven technical fouls are tied with Angel Reese for the most in the league.
The Fever will now turn their attention to All-Star weekend, with Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell set to represent Indiana in Chicago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
