Fireworks erupted on the hardwood when the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun clashed for the first time this season. It is the only team that has been stopping Indiana Fever in their tracks. After the Caitlin Clark and Jacy Sheldon altercation in the first game, Sophie Cunningham took matters into her own hands, literally. So, when Cunningham held Sheldon in the final quarter, the results were far from disappointing. With players ejected and fines imposed, the WNBA took a stand against the overtly aggressive on-court behavior.

However, the rough play continued. While the second matchup, though less aggressive, was enough to send Cunningham to the sidelines, the last game witnessed another physicality against Fever players. Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa knowingly elbowed Sophia Cunningham and sent her head-first on the floor. Despite on-court brutality between the teams, the courtside narrated a different tale today.

WNBA Insider Emily Adams shared a shocking insight before the games began. A video surfaced online, portraying Sun and Fever fans showering love and appreciation towards Clark’s team member. Adams posted the clip on X (former Twitter) with a caption that read, “Former Sun player and assistant coach Briann January, now an assistant for Indiana, getting love from both the CT and Fever fans!” Briann January was a former Connecticut Sun player who later joined Indiana Fever as an Assistant Coach.

As a former player, fans swarmed to January for autographs. The clip featured fans standing in a queue and waiting for the assistant coach to sign Fever and Sun jerseys and merchandise ahead of the final tipoff between the two teams. Ironically, the Indiana Fever had drafted the former point guard in 2009. She was associated with the franchise for nine seasons before moving on to international women’s basketball. While her tenure with the Connecticut Sun lasted just one season, the franchise announced her return as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season.

Despite garnering ample love and support from the Sun fans and the locker room, January decided to return to Indiana Fever this season. Albeit as an assistant coach. While the 2014 WNBA All-Star revelled in recognition and praise as fans flocked to get an autograph of Briann, the team did not even spare the Indiana Fever head coach.

The Connecticut Sun showers love towards Indiana Fever head coach

The Connecticut Sun radiated differently today. After extending a warm welcome to the Indian Fever’s Briann January, the franchise had more in store for their opponents. The jumbotron in the Mohegan Sun Arena focused on Fever head coach Stephanie White, as the crowd cheered in unison.

National reporter for the Connecticut Sun Emily Adams shared an 8-second clip featuring White. She shared the clip on X with a caption that read, “Big cheer from the home crowd as former coach Steph White is welcomed back to CT! First time she’s been back at Mohegan Sun since getting hired by the Fever.”

Despite being the former head coach of the Sun, the team had another major reason for celebrating Stephanie White. After all, she marked her debut in Connecticut for the first time this season. So, naturally, the fans erupted in loud cheers upon seeing White on the Jumbotron.

“Every time I’ve been able to see people in the organization, it feels like home,” White said during the pregame. She acted as HC for the Sun between 2022 and 2024, before moving to the Indiana Fever. Now, as Fever and Sun lock horns for the last time this year, it will be exciting to watch which team takes the final win. With Indiana at 2-1 against the Sun, this game will decide the roster’s fate in the playoffs.