The Indiana Fever coach explains that Caitlin Clark was extremely tired early in her first WNBA game, to the point where the coach almost had to assist her. These comments were made during her post-game interview. Coach Christie Sides said she almost thought she was going to have to “grab” Clark to help her because Clark was so exhausted during the end of the first quarter in the Indiana Fever’s preseason game against the Dallas Wings.
When Clark asked for a substitution, Sides thought she was completely worn out. Sides mentioned she was about to help her get to the sideline near the end of the first quarter. She expressed the need to do better and avoid letting Clark get to such an exhausted state due to the way she is being guarded.
In spite of that moment, Clark’s first game
was widely lauded . She scored 21 points, making 5 of 13 three-pointers.Here’s what you need to know
Indiana Fever Coach Christie Sides Discussed How the Team Needs to Improve
Sides outlined her thoughts on how the team needed to improve following their defeat. She mentioned that the players were feeling low after the loss.
Speaking during the post-game interview, Sides added, “This is when you fix things. You play these games so you can fix some of the things.”
She stated that the team has to work on their performance and also commented that the Fever’s “transition defense” was adequate. “We gave up some buckets late. That really hurt us,” she said.
Sides remarked that the team only managed to make 14 assists, which should not have happened. They missed out on some easy scoring opportunities.
Regarding Clark’s play, Sides mentioned, “I thought Caitlin came out. I am glad she got some shots up. She was able to hit some big shots. They’re still learning each other. She doesn’t have to work as hard for it anymore.”
She stated that the team’s objective “was to play everybody tonight. Our goal was to make sure people got a look. There were some lineups that weren’t great for us. That was what our game plan was. We wanted to play everybody tonight.”
Christie Sides Revealed That Caitlin Clark ‘Asked for a Sub,’ Declaring, ‘That Was Awesome for Her to Do’
This photo from Caitlin Clark’s first WNBA game with the Indiana Fever is going viral.
GettyAs for Clark, she mentioned that she is still “learning her,” highlighting that “It got to the point early in the first quarter that she was gassed, and she asked for a sub. That was awesome for her to do; a lot of players will try to play through that.”
Sides admitted she’s “got to recognize that sooner before she gets to that point. I keep letting her get to that point, she’s going to lose her legs. So it’s just a learning process. Finding out who is playing well in which rotation.”
She said: “I think that’s kind of where we’ve had those conversations with her.” She said the team is able “to put some really good players around her. That she doesn’t have to work as hard. Once you realize that you become a good screener, you’re going to have some really, really good open shots.”
Sides noted that there is a “new point guard with Caitlin.” She said Clark “does expect a lot out of herself and that’s awesome, but she also needs to know that we have her back.
The coach talked about how Clark was being closely guarded. She mentioned that the defenders were playing very physically against her. She emphasized the need to protect Clark so she could maintain her performance level from the first quarter to the fourth. The coach also praised Clark's confidence and ability to make important shots.
She mentioned that they started using some specific offensive plays. She also mentioned that there are some maneuvers that Clark hasn't tried before.
The Indiana Fever coach mentioned that Caitlin Clark was feeling exhausted early in her first WNBA game. She made a series of honest comments in her post-game interview.
