Indiana Fever make coaching staff move before showdown with Aces

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Indiana Fever make coaching staff move before showdown with Aces originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Indiana Fever are making an adjustment to their coaching staff as they prepare for one of their biggest games of the season. Ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, the Fever announced changes to Stephanie White's coaching staff to account for assistant coach Karima Christmas-Kelly, who is preparing to welcome her second child.

The move comes as Indiana looks to build on Saturday's convincing 111-87 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, a win that improved the Fever to 11-8 despite playing without Caitlin Clark.

Fever add coaching support before Las Vegas game​

According to Fieldhouse Files' Scott Agness, the Fever have brought back veteran coach Gary Kloppenburg as an interim team advisor. Once Christmas-Kelly begins her leave, assistant Tully Bevilaqua will move into an interim assistant coaching role.

Agness reported:

"Fever asst. Karima Christmas-Kelly is expecting her second child in the coming weeks, so the team has made two moves for added support & stability. Gary Kloppenburg returns as interim team advisor, and once Christmas-Kelly is away, Tully Bevilaqua is elevated to interim asst."

The moves are designed to provide continuity as Indiana enters a critical stretch of the regular season.

Fever asst. Karima Christmas-Kelly is expecting her second child in the coming weeks, so the team has made two moves for added support & stability.

Gary Kloppenburg returns as interim team advisor, and once Christmas-Kelly is away, Tully Bevilaqua is elevated to interim asst.

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 1, 2026

Karima Christmas-Kelly has become key member of staff​

Christmas-Kelly joined the Fever in 2023 as part of Christie Sides' coaching staff and remained with the organization when Stephanie White returned as head coach ahead of the 2025 season. The former WNBA veteran has played an important role behind the scenes, helping develop Indiana's young roster while contributing to the team's defensive identity.

She and her husband, Austin Kelly, welcomed their first child, Zayn, in 2023 and are now preparing to add another member to their family. Meanwhile, Kloppenburg is no stranger to the Fever organization.

The longtime coach previously served as Indiana's interim head coach in 2022 and has decades of coaching experience at both the WNBA and collegiate levels. His familiarity with the franchise should help make the transition as seamless as possible.

MORE: Sophie Cunningham has one big request after watching the FIFA World Cup

Fever riding momentum into matchup with Aces​

Indiana enters Sunday's game with confidence after one of its most complete performances of the season. Playing without Clark because of a back injury, the Fever received major contributions throughout the lineup. Kelsey Mitchell led the way with 26 points, Tyasha Harris added 16 points after stepping into the starting lineup, Monique Billings scored 15, and Aliyah Boston finished with 17 points and seven rebounds.

Now the Fever will try to carry that momentum into a marquee matchup against the Aces, with an adjusted coaching staff in place and hopes that Clark will soon return to the lineup. While the changes on White's bench are temporary, they ensure Indiana will have experienced voices alongside the head coach as the team continues its push toward the WNBA playoffs.

More WNBA news:​

• Dave Portnoy rips Emmanuel Acho over viral Caitlin Clark comments as WNBA debate intensifies
• Sophie Cunningham's candid Mercury comments spark fierce backlash: 'Wildly unprofessional'
• Lexie Hull's pregame outfit is still getting attention days after Fever win
• Sophie Cunningham has one big request after watching the FIFA World Cup

Continue reading...