The Indiana Fever secured the sixth seed in the 2024 WNBA playoffs. Following the Indiana Fever’s tight 110-109 victory over the Dallas Wings, supporters’ attention switched from the victory to rising dissatisfaction with head coach Christie Sides.
Despite stopping a two-game losing run, many Fever fans were upset with Sides’ handling of a contentious foul on rookie standout Caitlin Clark, causing several to advocate for her firing. Why didn’t Christie Sides support Caitlin Clark?
The incident occurred in the first half, when Clark, the Fever’s breakout rookie, drove to the basket but was fouled hard by Dallas forward Natasha Howard.
Clark’s layup missed, and when she struck the floor, Howard landed on top of her, causing indignation among Indiana fans.
Many expected Sides to defend Clark, but the coach kept nothing, eliciting a barrage of criticism from fans who felt she should have stood up for her player.
Sides’ decision to remove Clark from the game quickly after the incident added fuel to the fire, with many questioning her leadership and decision-making abilities under pressure.Fever supporters flocked to social media to vent their displeasure, with some calling for immediate action.
One fan on X said, “I can’t overstate how bad of a coach Sides is #FireSides,” reflecting the feeling of those who believe Sides is not effectively protecting her players.
Another user
@BlueBetty107 expressed concern about Sides’ lack of outspoken support for her squad, writing, “Christie Sides needs to SPEAK UP.” Becky Hammon occasionally overdoes it, but her teammates know she has their back. “The Fever is missing that.” Christie Sides is not on the fans’ good side.
This is not the first time Sides has been criticised for her perceived inaction.
Similar dissatisfaction erupted in the Fever’s recent losses against the Las Vegas Aces, as supporters thought Sides failed to protect her team in the face of questionable officiating.
Despite the controversy, the Fever have performed admirably this season, overcoming a rough 1-8 start to win a playoff spot
this week's best highlights presented by @Lexus 📽 pic.twitter.com/EUijXd9z70
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) September 16, 2024
With All-Stars Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell leading the charge, Indiana stays focused on postseason success, as fan dissatisfaction with Sides continues to overshadow the team’s achievements.
As the Fever prepare for their final regular season game and the impending playoffs, many supporters are questioning whether Sides’ leadership is a good fit for this young group. The Indiana Fever last appeared in the WNBA Playoffs in 2016, and while their return is cause for excitement, disagreements over the head coach’s decisions may cloud the future.
The Fever’s playoff run begins on September 22, but worries about Christie Sides’ future with the team are certain to continue.
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