Caitlin Clark has stunned fans with her candid remarks about playing under Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides. As the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, Clark’s rookie season with the Fever has been nothing short of eventful. Coming off a record-breaking college career at Iowa, the 22-year-old has been making headlines both on and off the court. While she leads the rookies in points per game with an average of 16.2, her recent comments have sparked a wave of controversy.
After Indiana’s 89-77 loss to the Seattle Storm on Friday night, Clark was asked about the best piece of in-game advice she has received from a veteran teammate this season. Her response was unexpected and has led to widespread criticism of coach Christie Sides on social media. “Nobody gives me advice in-game. I wish,” Clark admitted, a statement that many fans took as an indictment of Sides’ coaching style.
The backlash was swift, with fans expressing their displeasure on social media platform X. One fan questioned, “Remind me again…Why is @ChristieSides the Head Coach again?” Another simply stated, “Sides needs to go,” while a third warned, “Oh Christie Sides, count your days.” Others echoed these sentiments, with one bluntly saying, “Goodbye ‘Coach’ Sides.”
This isn’t the first time Clark and Sides’ relationship has come under scrutiny. During a recent defeat to the Chicago Sky, a clip of Clark seemingly arguing with Sides on the court went viral. The game saw Indiana lose their lead in the final minutes, with Chicago’s Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter, and Camilla Cardoso leading a late-game comeback. Clark’s performance in the closing stages of that game was a particular point of contention among fans. Despite her reputation as one of the best shooters in women’s basketball, she only took two shots in the last seven minutes, opting to pass to her teammates instead of taking the shots herself.
Fans were vocal about their frustration, with some urging Clark to be more assertive and others blaming Sides’ tactics for the loss. The on-court exchange between Clark and Sides further fueled the fire. As the game wound down, Clark was seen gesturing animatedly while talking to Sides, who responded, but Clark’s visible frustration continued, as she threw her arms out and sighed.
The incident has led to speculation about the coach-player dynamic and Sides’ game strategy. One social media user commented, “Christie Sides & Caitlin Clark were arguing towards the end of the game. Clark didn’t like the game plan from Sides. This is going to be an issue because Christie Sides went away from the pick & roll, Chicago was having an issue stopping it. Indiana would have won this game.”
Clark’s rookie season, already filled with high expectations, has now been complicated by questions about her relationship with her coach and the overall direction of the team. As fans and analysts continue to dissect the situation, it remains to be seen how Clark and Sides will move forward and whether the Fever can turn things around amidst the growing scrutiny.
