Fever Coach Sets Clear Requirement for Caitlin Clark After Rough Loss to Storm

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides talks to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark on May 28, 2024.

© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Indiana Fever took a frustrating 89-77 loss to the Seattle Storm on June 27. Between turnovers and poor basketball handling, the Fever couldn’t overcome the Storm’s Jewell Loyd going off with 34 points.

As for Fever guard Caitlin Clark, she led the team with 15 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. However, the NCAA’s all-time lead scorer only took nine shots throughout the entire game, which turned the attention and criticism toward Fever head coach Christie Sides.

Sides then sent a clear message and set a new bar for the No. 1 overall pick moving forward.

“Caitlin Clark needs to shoot at minimum 15 shots a game for us,” Sides said after the game, per Clutch Points’ Matthew Byrne.

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides talks to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark on May 28, 2024.© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

“She’s gotta get shots, we got to do a better job of setting her up and setting some really good screens for her to get her open,” Sides added.

Clark not taking enough shots was an issue during the Fever’s 88-87 loss to the Chicago Sky on Sunday. She took two shots in the final seven minutes of the game, during which her teammates scored a total of 5 points, and the Sky closed the gap.

“I think she turns down some shots. I’d like her to take some shots that, when she comes off, she knows she has the green light,” Sides told reporters on June 25.

Hopefully, Clark and the Fever can turn things around when they face the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, June 30.