Christie Sides speaking to media. (Image Source: X/@sportingnews)
Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides isn’t holding back regarding the physical play directed toward rookie star Caitlin Clark. She vented her frustrations in Saturday’s postgame interview over the physical treatment Caitlin Clark had been subjected to during the game.
“We’re just going to keep sending these possessions to the league, and these plays, and hopefully they’ll start, you know, taking a better look at some of the things that we see happening, or we think is happening,” Sides said. “Just more happy that Caitlin handled it the way she did. You know, it’s tough to keep getting hammered the way she does and to not get rewarded with free throws or foul calls. She’s continued to fight through that. Appreciate that from her. Really, really proud of her for doing that.”
Fever coach Christie Sides made these statements after Clark and veteran player Chennedy Carter had a heated exchange in a game against the Chicago Sky. As Clark tried to inbound the ball, Carter gave her an apparent shoulder check. While the play only resulted in a common foul call, it ignited a conversation about the physicality Clark has faced throughout her rookie season.
Later, when questioned about the incident, Carter answered “next question” and chose not to discuss the foul.
“It is what it is,” Clark said. “I feel like I’m just at the point where you accept it and don’t retaliate. … I’m trying not to let it bother me.”
Fever upset Sky in the first Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese WNBA meeting
In Saturday’s WNBA game, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark played each other for the first time. The game in which Jade Jones—the girlfriend of Tyrese Haliburton—took center stage and dominated the action. However, veteran Kelsey Mitchell stole the show as the Indiana Fever won 71–70. Kelsey scored 18 points to lead the Fever after he went scoreless in the first quarter, while NaLyssa Smith added 17 points to help the team win.
Chennedy Carter topped all scorers for the Sky with 19 points after coming off the bench. The 4-year veteran dominated the court, yelling at Fever players and checking them defensively.
Marina Mabrey scored 15 points for Chicago. However, with 6.1 seconds left, she had a chance to equalize the score at 71 but missed the free throw.
Clark had a rough go of it after making her first two 3-pointers; she finished with 11 points, eight boards, and six assists.
Reese had 13 rebounds—eight offensive—and 8 points. She made an impact defensively when Clark rushed into the lane and elbowed her opponent in the fourth quarter as she boxed out for a rebound.
In their next game, the Fever will travel to face the New York Liberty on Sunday night.
VIDEO: Caitlin Clark Goes Down With Frightening Leg Injury During Game, And It Does Not Look Good
Caitlin Clark (Photo via ESPN)
The hopes and dreams of the WNBA were almost dashed after Caitlin Clark went down with a concerning injury.
While the Indiana Fever were taking on the Atlanta Dream on the road, a play in the second quarter had fans holding their breath.
In the second quarter, Clark was trying to stay on her defense assignment when she suddenly twisted her ankle in a terrible way, which immediately sent her down to the ground in obvious pain.
She immediately grabbed her left ankle and had a look on her face like she thought something was terribly wrong as she lay down on the court.
She would stay on the court for several minutes before teammates, and some of the coaching staff helped her up.
Caitlin Clark let everyone know she could walk on her own as she made her way to the sidelines.
Clark likely had her ankles taped, and after missing a few plays, she would eventually return to the game in the same quarter.
Things could’ve been a lot worse, but she appeared to escape injury.
That ankle will surely be put in an ice bath for several hours.
Caitlin Clark And The Indiana Fever Had Been Rolling Since The Olympic Break
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have come out strong post-Olympic break, winning two out of three games.
Clark, in particular, has been sensational. She delivered an incredible 29-point, 10-assist performance in the victory over the Phoenix Mercury, which was followed by her dropping 23 points and 9 assists in the win against Seattle, per ESPN.
Clark and the Fever are rolling at the right time as they enter a crucial stretch with several winnable games on the horizon.
Sitting at 13-16, the Fever need to continue to win to secure a playoff spot in Clark’s promising rookie year.
