As the 2025 NBA Finals progress, all eyes were on Game 2 held on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Oklahoma City, where the Indiana Pacers faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The series, already electrified by the Pacers' stunning one-point victory in Game 1, continues to captivate fans nationwide. Indiana’s thrilling 111-110 win was secured by Tyrese Haliburton’s last-second shot, a moment that instantly became one of the series’ defining highlights.
However, Game 2 carried an unexpected absence that caught the attention of many viewers and insiders alike. ESPN and ABC’s lead NBA sideline reporter Lisa Salters, a familiar and respected face who has covered the NBA Finals since 2022 and been with ESPN since 2000, was notably missing from the broadcast. ESPN confirmed her absence with a statement: “Lisa is attending to a personal matter. We send her our best.”
During the Game 2 telecast, it was further disclosed that Salters’s mother is currently facing “serious health issues,” shedding light on the personal challenges behind her absence. This revelation added a somber tone to the high-stakes sporting event, reminding fans and colleagues alike of the human side behind the glamorous world of sports broadcasting.
Filling in for Salters on the sidelines was Jorge Sedano, who had been serving as the sideline reporter for ESPN’s radio coverage of the Finals. Sedano’s transition to the television sideline role was smooth, with Vanessa Richardson stepping up to cover his previous radio duties. ESPN has yet to announce the sideline reporter plans for Game 3, scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Indianapolis.
Adding to the narrative is the parallel situation involving Stephanie White, Salters’s partner and head coach of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. White missed the Fever’s game against the Chicago Sky on Saturday, June 7, citing personal reasons. The Fever confirmed her absence, noting it was due to “personal reasons,” mirroring the situation with Salters.
Before the Fever’s game, player DeWanna Bonner expressed the team’s support for White, saying, “I really want to win for Steph; she’s going through a tough time with her family right now. We want to rally together and get this one for her.” This sentiment highlighted the close-knit nature of the team and the respect they hold for their head coach during challenging times.
In White’s absence, assistant coach Austin Kelly stepped up to lead the Fever. Kelly’s first game at the helm was a success, with the team securing a win over the Sky. Kelly shared a heartfelt message about White, stating, “We’ve been in communication. We have her in our thoughts, let her know that we have her back, but I think we will know more after this.” White’s trust in her coaching staff was evident, as she had previously praised them before the 2025 season, saying, “My staff is so good and trusting in them that if I needed to be away for a period of time, it’s status quo. Our team knows that they have great respect for them, and I know that, and I trust them implicitly, so it gives even more peace of mind.”
The combined absences of Salters and White, both prominent figures in basketball and ESPN’s coverage, have drawn considerable attention and sympathy from the sports community. While the exact details of their personal matters remain private, colleagues and fans alike have sent heartfelt messages of support, underscoring the couple’s respected status and the empathy shared within the basketball world.
Lisa Salters’s career with ESPN has been distinguished and influential. She has reported on the NBA since 2005 and has been the sideline reporter for the NBA Finals broadcasts since 2022. Beyond basketball, Salters has been a stalwart presence on ESPN’s top NFL broadcasts, serving as the sideline reporter for Monday Night Football since 2012, making her the longest-tenured sideline reporter in that program’s history. Her excellence was recognized in 2023 when she won her first Sports Emmy in the “Outstanding Personality/Reporter” category.
Salters’s absence from Game 2 marked a rare moment in her illustrious tenure. She had also missed a couple of Monday Night Football games in the previous season, but her presence is typically a constant in major sports events. Jorge Sedano’s role as her replacement on Sunday night was well-received, highlighting ESPN’s depth of talent in sports journalism.
Meanwhile, Stephanie White’s leadership of the Indiana Fever has been equally impactful. Her recent absence from the Fever’s game was notable, but the team’s ability to rally under assistant coach Kelly’s guidance speaks to the strong foundation she has built. The Fever’s win against the Chicago Sky was a testament to the team’s resilience and unity during a challenging period.
Off the court and outside the broadcast booth, ESPN has been navigating a period of change and challenge. Alongside the personal matters affecting Salters and White, the network recently announced the relocation of its morning shows “Get Up,” “First Take,” and “Unsportsmanlike” from its Seaport Studios to a new facility in Manhattan. Additionally, longtime SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris announced his battle with prostate cancer, scheduled for surgery on June 10, 2025, while Los Angeles Times writer Bill Plaschke revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis, adding to the somber news within the sports media community.
As the NBA Finals continue, the focus remains on the on-court drama between the Pacers and Thunder, with the series poised to shift to Indianapolis for Game 3. Fans eagerly await the return of Lisa Salters to the sidelines and Stephanie White to the coaching bench, hoping for positive updates on their personal situations.
The 2025 NBA Finals have already delivered unforgettable moments, from Haliburton’s buzzer-beater to the palpable emotion surrounding the absences of two beloved basketball figures. The story unfolding is as much about resilience and support off the court as it is about the fierce competition on it.
With the series still in progress, the basketball world watches closely, united in hope and anticipation for both the thrilling sports action and the well-being of those who bring the game to life.
