“Stephanie White and Lisa Salters Both Absent Amid Family Emergency: What We Know About Their Personal and Professional Impact”

Stephanie White and Lisa Salters—two prominent figures in basketball, one from the WNBA and one from ESPN—have recently been absent from their professional duties, and it’s all tied to a shared family emergency. Here’s everything we know so far.

Over the weekend, the Indiana Fever made headlines not just for their 79‑52 win over the Chicago Sky, but because their head coach, Stephanie White, was noticeably absent. According to The Indianapolis Star via ESPN’s coverage, White “missed Saturday’s WNBA game due to a family emergency,” and assistant coach Austin Kelly took over bench duties .

On the same timeline, ESPN’s star sideline reporter Lisa Salters was also absent from ESPN’s Game 2 NBA Finals coverage between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Veteran play‑by‑play announcer Mike Breen paused mid‑broadcast to publicly acknowledge her absence, citing Salters caring for her ailing mother . Breen called her “the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have,” expressing gratitude and sending love to Salters and her mother .

The coincidence of both women being absent stems from the same personal crisis: a family emergency. Sources confirm that Salters is White’s partner, and they share responsibility for their blended family . This week has been especially trying for both, as they balance professional responsibilities and intense family needs.

White, 47, returned as head coach of the Fever in November 2024, marking her second stint with the franchise. She originally served as head coach in 2015–16 and later returned after leading the Connecticut Sun through two successful seasons . Her return sparked optimism in Indiana, especially given the team’s offensive transformation under rookie Caitlin Clark. However, the start of the 2025 season has presented challenges: the Fever currently sit at 4‑4 , and fans have at times called for added stability amid early struggles.

White’s absence came during a significant moment. The Fever’s 79‑52 win over the Sky was the first-ever WNBA game held at Chicago’s United Center, drawing a record crowd of 19,496 . Despite missing their coach and star rookie Caitlin Clark (due to a quadriceps injury), the Fever held firm – an emotional victory with players dedicating the win to White, as guard DeWanna Bonner said they “really want to win for Steph” .

A couple of days earlier, The Associated Press reported that White “missed practice on Friday due to personal reasons and did not travel with the team” ahead of the Atlanta matchup . It was clear from the start that White’s absence was not a strategic decision, but rather a result of a private matter requiring immediate attention.

Meanwhile, the NBA Finals spotlight fell on Salters, 59, as she was absent from Game 2 sideline coverage . ESPN’s official statement framed it as “attending to a personal matter” . During Game 2, Breen kindly explained that Salters was with her mother, and that Jorge Sedano was stepping in to fill the sideline role .

Salters has been a fixture in sports broadcasting since joining ESPN in 2000, becoming a beloved correspondent for “Monday Night Football” in 2012 and covering NBA games since 2005 . Her professionalism and presence have earned her both respect and awards: she won a Sports Emmy in 2023 for Outstanding Personality/Reporter . Given her stature in the broadcast community, her peers and fans alike have rallied in support during her absence. On social media, one fan shared, “All the love to Lisa and family,” while another expressed, “It’s clear that Lisa’s work is deeply appreciated.” .

Individually, both White and Salters have achieved significant milestones. White was a standout player, winning the Wade Trophy as the top women’s college basketball player in 1999 and later a respected coach in the WNBA and NCAA . She led the Fever to the WNBA Finals as a first‑time head coach and guided the Connecticut Sun to playoff runs . Salters was a college basketball star before transitioning into respected journalism .

Their relationship is also well-known in sports circles. Publicly out since 2015, White and Salters are based in Nashville and share a blended family of four sons—three from White’s previous marriage to Michelle Fletcher (Landon, Aiden, and Avery) and one adopted by Salters (Samuel) . They’ve appeared together at public events and supported one another’s careers, navigating busy schedules and relocations—from Connecticut to Indiana—with their sons in tow .

Their absences have meant shifts for both their spheres. Kelly’s leadership during White’s absence helped stabilize the Fever, while Jorge Sedano stepped into Salters’s sideline role for ESPN. The Indiana Fever are set to face the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, and curiosity remains about whether White will return alongside her team . Likewise, NBA fans are expecting to see Salters back on the sideline for Game 3 of the Finals in Indiana starting Wednesday .

So, what’s next?

There hasn’t been a public update on either White or Salters beyond the initial announcements citing personal reasons and family emergencies. Both ESPN and the Fever have opted for privacy, refraining from disclosing details. The domestic focus has understandably taken precedence over their professional commitments.

Moving forward, both organizations are likely to continue offering space and support. Coaching stability remains crucial for the Fever, given their improving but fluctuating 4‑4 record and the pressure that comes with reinvigorating the franchise around Caitlin Clark . For ESPN, Salters’s return mid‑Finals would be significant, not only for viewers but also in terms of on‑air continuity, given her established chemistry with Breen, Burke, and Jefferson .

At the heart of this is family. Public statements indicate that Salters is caring for her ailing mother, while White is possibly managing other aspects of the same or related personal crisis. Their shared responsibilities at home—and the rare coincidence of simultaneous absences—speak to the interconnectedness of their lives. It’s a reminder that even top professionals face real-world challenges, and sometimes, those demand attention above all else.

Fans and colleagues have rallied in support: Breen’s on-air tribute was heartfelt, the Fever players on-court dedication speaks volumes, and the broader sports community has shown overwhelming empathy. Public messages like “All the love to Lisa and family” underscore how deeply both women are respected and cared for .

What to watch for: Both the NBA and WNBA schedules will reveal more. Will White return to coach the Fever this week? Will Salters resume her sideline role for Game 3 or beyond? Their reappearances will likely come with statements of appreciation and possibly insights into their family situation—if and when they feel ready.

Until then, here’s what’s certain:

White and Salters are linked by both personal commitment and their absence during a shared family emergency.

Their professional roles were covered temporarily by colleagues—Kelly and Sedano—who stepped up admirably.

Support has poured in from teammates, fans, and commentators alike.

Both the Indiana Fever and ESPN are maintaining a policy of privacy, with no further comment beyond acknowledging “family reasons” or “personal matters.”

It’s a telling moment in sports and broadcasting: when two powerhouse women step back—not because of anything professional, but to prioritize their family. In high-performance worlds that often demand unending presence and perfection, their choice underscores an enduring truth: personal obligations don’t pause for schedules.

We wish them both strength, healing, and so much care in the days ahead. And as they navigate this chapter, their teams and fans will be ready to welcome them back whenever they choose to return.