Stephanie White questioned the Indiana Sparks' defensive discipline after they suffered a crushing 89-87 defeat to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday.

With reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark missing a fifth straight game due to a left groin injury, Indiana were beaten by Los Angeles for the second time in nine days.

Azura Stevens scored 21 points and added 12 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum tacked on 20 points for the Sparks as they improved to 6-13.

The Fever had been eight points clear midway through the third quarter, but they missed their last five shots, four of which came in the final minute. 

But White was more concerned about the way her team allowed Los Angeles to take control, with Rickea Jackson hitting their go-ahead basket with 57.4 seconds remaining.

"I think they just put their heads down and started to attack us," White told reporters.

"They did a really good job of recognising when our guards, our small guards, got switched on to. Whether it was Jackson or Stevens.

Results from Saturday night action #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/JrhGe8Kire

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2025

"They also did a good job of executing some of their schemes. I thought some of those screens, screener actions that they ran, we went over for the past two days. 

"We weren't very disciplined in that. But I felt like they let the game come to them and we, on the other hand, really felt pressed."

The Fever return to action against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, when they will hope to have Clark back, having gone 3-2 in her absence.