Stephanie White was frustrated after the Dallas WIngs handed them a three-point loss on the opening day. After all the talk around the Fever defense and working on it in the training camp, the Fever conceded 107 points. “We got to be more disciplined,” White said. “Sometimes we were over-rotated when we didn’t need to be.” After a shaky display, Stephanie White’s approach was called out by Rachel DeMita. 

Stephanie White chose to retain most of their 2025 squad instead of going out shopping. They brought in Monique Billings and a few backup pieces. Most of their rotation is the same. Yet, there was a lack of chemistry in their season opener, which led to many unnecessary turnovers. 

“What I expected from the Indiana Fever, regardless of whether they were making shots or missing shots, was on-court chemistry,” Rachel DeMita said on the “Courtside Club.” “I thought the Indiana Fever were going to pick up where they left off because they pretty much went with a run-it-back mentality. They brought back so many players from last year’s squad, so I thought, okay, these players already know how to play together. They know each other’s tendencies.”

It’s now the third year of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull playing together. Yet, they conceded 14 turnovers and 25 fastbreak points. The defensive coverage was especially a problem as they gave away many open shots while playing zone defense. The timing for their switches was often off as the Wings shot 59% from the field and 52% from the three-point line. 

For context, there were only 7 games last year where a team shot more than 58% from the field. On the offense, they had 23 assists, 3 less than the Wings, who have many new players and a new coach coming in. 

“This should be a situation where the ball is moving and everybody’s getting involved,” DeMita further said. “The chemistry should be nearly perfect for this team, even on day one of the W season. That’s what we should see from the Fever.”

However, it might not be a coach problem. The Aces had a similar problem in their opening game against the Mercury and A’ja Wilson pointed out that the assumption of players who are together for years will have instant chemistry is not entirely true. 

“Everyone assumed that because you play together for so long, you’re supposed to know each other like the back of your hand. We do, but it still takes time to get it all back together,” Wilson said. “We haven’t played basketball together as a whole since October, so it’s going to take time to get on time and on target. No matter how long we’ve played with each other, it still builds that trust back.”

The offseason is a long time in the WNBA. Boston, Mitchell and Hull played 3v3 in Unrivaled. Clark was still rehabbing her injuries and so was Sophie Cunningham. In addition, their 2025 season was affected by injuries. Clark played only 13 games and she is moving off the ball more than before. Cunningham missed the later half of the season as well.

It’s not an immediate transition. Once the chemistry clicks, the team could begin operating like a well-oiled machine.  However, even if the chemistry comes back, there is one tactical change Stephanie White should apply.  

Stephanie White Told to Maximize Aliyah Boston After 23-Point Game

Aliyah Boston had a major improvement arc last year. She went from a paint-dominated center to a more well-rounded player who can create as well. Boston averaged 15 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game to lead the Fever to Game 5 of the semifinals. If she had not fouled out, the Fever might have even reached the finals. 

Boston continued that form into the first  game of the season. She scored 23 points and 4 rebounds and added 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block. However, DeMita took one issue with how Boston was used by Stephanie White in this game. 

“The other big thing with the Indiana Fever is they have to get Aliyah Boston more involved, and they have to get her involved quicker and earlier in the game,” DeMita said.  “When Aliyah Boston is involved, she is so good. She has improved so much on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.”

Boston has leveled up on the defense, winning the Defensive Player Of The Year at Unrivaled and shooting 33.3% from the three-point line on 3.2 attempts per game. DeMita pointed out that her foot speed has improved as well with that coast-to-coast play where she outpaced everyone on the Wings. 

“Aliyah Boston is such a prime piece of this team. They have to utilize her,” DeMita said. She had just 1 attempt in the first quarter but grew into the game with time. Last season, she had a usage rate of 21.5%, behind Clark’s 28.7% and Mitchell’s 26.4%. With Clark moving off the ball, Boston could take a more on-ball role.  

However, it’s still very early in the season. Yet, White needs to figure out her best rotation if they want to improve upon their 2025 performance.