‘It’s disappointing’ – Rachel DeMita gives ‘alarming’ reality check to Stephanie White’s Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White gets blamed for the team's terrible Game 1 loss.

The Indiana Fever had a far-from-ideal start to the 2026 WNBA playoffs as they were blown out by the Las Vegas Aces in a 102-85 Game 1 defeat.

As a result, the Fever are facing early elimination ahead of Game 2. But what went wrong for the Fever in the playoff opener?

Well, according to WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita, head coach Stephanie White's poor mentality was to blame for the terrible loss.

Rachel DeMita sounds alarm bells over Stephanie White's poor mentality

While the Fever still have a chance to make a comeback in Game 2 and extend the series, DeMita's analysis of White's coaching hints that the probability is pretty low.

"I was seeing in the postgame press conference and the pregame press conference from yesterday's Indiana Fever versus Las Vegas Aces game that were truly, truly alarming.

"And it's one of the biggest reasons that I just don't think the Indiana Fever have what it takes this year in these playoffs to win anything," DeMita said on her podcast.

She added, ""I don't see them making it out of the first round, and it starts with the mentality, and it starts with the mentality of coach Stephanie White…

"It's disappointing to see because I've definitely held my tongue, bit my tongue, you know, coming down really hard on the coaching staff because, firstly, I don't really like trashing anyone."

The Fever's poor form towards the tail end of the season, combined with a potential first-round postseason exit, will only spell trouble for White.

After all, Fever fans have already been demanding her firing, and a first-round exit with arguably the best offense in the league is indeed a terrible look for the head coach.