Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White was absent from the team’s game against the Chicago Sky on Saturday, June 7. In her place, assistant coach Austin Kelly led the team, guiding them to a victory over Tyler Marsh’s squad.
White did not make the trip to Chicago, and the Fever cited “personal reasons” for her absence. On the same weekend, White’s partner, ESPN broadcaster Lisa Salters, also missed Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. ESPN issued a statement to Front Office Sports, saying, “Lisa is attending to a personal matter. We send her our best.”
While specifics remained private at first, ESPN’s Mike Breen later shared during the Finals broadcast that Salters’ mother is facing serious health issues. He extended well wishes to Salters and her family, noting her professionalism and contributions to the broadcasting team.
Fever star DeWanna Bonner acknowledged White’s situation ahead of the game, stating, “We want to win for Steph; she’s going through a tough time with her family.” Coach Kelly also voiced his support: “We’ve been in touch. She knows we have her back.”
White had previously expressed confidence in her staff, telling The Indianapolis Star before the season that her team could operate smoothly even in her absence, thanks to their competence and mutual trust.
Both Salters and White have chosen to keep the matter private, and their peers across the basketball and journalism worlds have shown strong support during this difficult time.
Lisa Salters: A Legacy in Sports Journalism
Lisa Salters, a veteran journalist born in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on March 6, 1966, has built a remarkable career over more than three decades. Starting out with NewsOne in the 1990s, she joined ESPN in 2000 and rose to prominence as a sideline reporter for “Monday Night Football.”
Known for her poise, accuracy, and depth, Salters has earned widespread respect from fans, players, and fellow reporters. She received her first Sports Emmy Award in 2023 for “Outstanding Personality/Reporter” and was inducted into the Montgomery County Hall of Fame in 2017.
At 59, Salters remains a vital and respected figure in sports media, admired for her dedication and journalistic integrity.
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