Stephen A. Smith rips Fever coach Stephanie White over Sophie Cunningham controversy

Stephen A. Smith is not satisfied with Stephanie White’s explanation for how she handled the controversy involving Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

The ESPN personality sharply criticized White after the Fever coach said she did not see Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington commit a Flagrant 2 foul against Cunningham in real time. Carrington was ejected for the play, which occurred during the first quarter of Indiana’s victory over Chicago.

White’s response after the game angered some Fever fans. Along with saying she missed the foul when it happened, White praised Carrington, whom she previously coached with the Connecticut Sun.

The backlash followed White back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Some Indiana fans booed her during pregame introductions before the Fever’s 106-92 victory over the New York Liberty.

Smith believes the reaction revealed how deeply the issue has resonated with the fan base.

Stephen A. Smith questions Stephanie White’s explanation

Speaking on “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Smith emphasized how unusual it was for a home crowd to boo its own coach while the team was enjoying a successful season.

“There are folks in Indiana at a home game booing you!” Smith said. “You ain’t the road team. You’re the home team, you’re the home coach, and they’re booing you.”

Smith then turned his attention to White’s explanation that she did not see the foul as it occurred.

“How are you the head coach on the sideline during the play, covering the game or coaching the game, and you didn’t see the play?” Smith asked. “I’m just asking.”

Smith acknowledged that a coach can miss an incident during the flow of a game. Coaches frequently look toward the bench, communicate with assistants or prepare for the next possession. Still, he struggled to understand how White did not see such a consequential play involving one of her players.

“I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I’m like, what do you mean you didn’t see the play?” Smith said. “What? You not watch it? We saw it. You’re coaching the game, up and down the court. It’s your job to coach the game. Watch the game. How did you not see the play?”

White has pushed back against the suggestion that she does not support Cunningham or the rest of Indiana’s roster. She made it clear before the Liberty game that she stands behind her players and rejected the criticism questioning her loyalty to them.

Smith, however, indicated that the coach’s subsequent defense was not enough to erase the original reaction.

Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham defend White

Although Smith remains critical, White has received public support from the two players most closely connected to the controversy. Cunningham defended her coach following Indiana’s win over New York. She said White simply had not seen the video when she initially spoke about the foul.

“Our locker room in there, it’s tight, and we have each other’s backs,” Cunningham said. “Coach loves us. She didn’t see the clip.”

Cunningham also praised Carrington as a player and defended White for speaking positively about someone she previously coached.

“DiJonai is a hell of a player,” Cunningham said. “She’s a great defender, and [White] coached her for I don’t know how many years up [with the Connecticut Sun], so give her her flowers. And she didn’t see it, and that’s okay.”

Cunningham later made the state of her relationship with White unmistakable.

“Me and Steph are great,” she said. “Steph is great with all of us, and so it’s really the outside noise that’s trying to distract us. But we’re good.”

Caitlin Clark also supported White and pushed back against the behavior of fans who booed Indiana’s coach. Those comments present a very different picture from the one suggested by the public controversy. Smith argued that support from Clark and Cunningham does not completely resolve White’s problem with the fan base. It does, however, provide important context. The players inside the Fever locker room do not appear to share the concerns being expressed outside it.

MORE: Sophie Cunningham clears air on Stephanie White, DiJonai Carrington controversy

Fever answer controversy with convincing win

Indiana responded to the distraction by producing a strong performance against New York. Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 28 points, while Clark finished with 22 points and 10 assists. Aliyah Boston scored 19 points, Monique Billings added 14 and Cunningham contributed 12 while making four of her five attempts from 3-point range.

The win improved Indiana to 21-12 and strengthened its hold on fourth place in the WNBA standings. That success is the strongest reason for the Fever to move beyond the controversy quickly. Indiana has developed into a legitimate contender and has only 11 games remaining in the regular season.

The Fever return to action Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings.

Smith may continue questioning White’s handling of the Cunningham incident, but the coach retains the public support of her players. If Indiana continues winning, the response inside the locker room ultimately may matter far more than the noise surrounding it.

More WNBA news:

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• A'ja Wilson vs. Olivia Miles debate is on with Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers lurking
• Chiney Ogwumike reacts to WNBA’s Caitlin Clark suspension decision
• Why Indiana lieutenant governor is calling for Stephanie White's firing