Fever Coach Stephanie White Reacts to Big News for Liberty Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Indiana Fever are going to be shorthanded again on Tuesday night when they battle the defending champs, the New York Liberty, in a road game at Barclays Center.
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Caitlin Clark has not recovered from her groin injury, which will force her to miss a second straight game. The Fever have refused to provide a firm timetable on the 23-year-old’s return to action after Clark re-aggravated the groin issue that forced her to miss two weeks in June and July.
The Liberty, on the other hand, got a major boost ahead of their matchup against Indiana. This came in the form of five-time All-Star Jonquel Jones being cleared to return after missing the last nine games for New York due to an ankle injury.
Jones, the reigning Finals MVP, has been a key piece for the Liberty this season, and her return marks a crucial development for this squad.
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New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones reacts during her team’s game against the Minnesota Lynx.Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Fever coach Stephanie White spoke to reporters on Monday during team practice, and the veteran shot-caller shared her reaction to Jones’ return to the lineup.
“It changes how you play them,” White said. “I mean, certainly, her ability with her size, on the interior and what they look for from her. On the offensive end of the floor, her ability to pick and pop. So it changes some of our coverages.
“And then on the defensive end, they’re already long and athletic, and it just brings more size and physicality.”
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As White said, the Fever will need to employ a different game plan with Jones now in the picture. The Liberty blew them out on Wednesday, 98-77, and that was without the services of the 6-foot-6 center.
Indiana is set to face a bigger challenge with Jones returning to the lineup for New York, but it is clear that White and her coaching staff have already made the necessary preparations.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
