Fever's Caitlin Clark shares how she really feels about Stephanie White after viral bench confrontation

Stephanie White has Caitlin Clark's back.

Despite a recent viral confrontation between the Indiana Fever's head coach and the franchise's star player, Clark told reporters on Monday that the blowup on the sideline during a loss to the Portland Fire has been overstated in the media and among fans online.

"(We are) two people being competitive, two people that really want to win. I think a lot of those things happen all the time," Clark said from Fever practice. "And I know there's a camera on me, but there's a lot of people out there in the media and on TV who think they know a lot of things and they're blatantly wrong about a lot of things."

MORE: 'This is where the monster was created': Caitlin Clark outburst at Iowa resurfaces amid Fever drama

White and Clark engaged in an animated exchange during Saturday's 100-84 loss to the Fire. Clark gestured toward White with her arms wide as the coach laid into the two-time All-Star about her defensive intensity -- after which Clark left the huddle.

The sequence has been seen as significant in some circles -- and perceived as evidence of a disconnect between the Fever's head coach and the franchise's flagship player, a two-time All-Star who is probably the WNBA's most popular player.

But in the Fever locker room, Clark claimed that no one "thought twice" about the exchange.

"I ride for Steph, I ride for these girls," Clark said. "Steph has my back more than anybody. ... It's just another example of what everybody, all of you (in the media), want to blow up and make something that is just not (based) in reality."

These are strong words from Clark, but surely she hopes to put this issue to bed by saying what she said on Monday.

More WNBA news:

• Will Fever fire Stephanie White? Why Indiana coach is on hot seat with Caitlin Clark struggles

• Stephanie White screamed at Caitlin Clark, and Fever's Lexie Hull has thoughts

• Caitlin Clark fans aren't happy with Fever star's whistle amid single-digit struggles

• Skip Bayless ignites Fever firestorm about firing Stephanie White after Caitlin Clark criticism