Fever Fans Furious With Coach Christie Sides After Unprecedented Caitlin Clark Decision

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever improved to 11-14 on the 2024 WNBA regular season after defeating the Minnesota Lynx 81-74 on Sunday.

Although the Fever were down heading into the fourth quarter, they played a nearly impeccable final 10 minutes, outscoring the Lynx 28-14 in the fourth frame.

Clark, who had 7 points through three quarters, finished the game with 17 points and 6 assists.

Although Indiana ended up securing the win, a decision that head coach Christie Sides made during the first quarter has Fever fans enraged.

She took Clark out midway through the quarter in order to talk to her on the sidelines while the game was underway.

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides with guard Caitlin Clark (22) against the Phoenix Mercury during a WNBA game at Footprint Center.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Clark never misses first quarter minutes with the Fever if it isn’t due to foul trouble.

Hence why Fever fans are furious about Sides deciding to do so Sunday.

At no point should Caitlin Clark be sitting in the first quarter. Fire Christie Sides Indiana Fever
— Jerrett Franklin (@musicontherox) July 14, 2024

christie sides completely taking CC out of her game..its totally obvious to even a casual fan….Its ego driven
— Paul Gomez (@pgogo4770) July 14, 2024

Clark couldn’t find a rhythm at all in the game’s first half; which may have been owed to this irregular playing time.

And fans noted that Clark seemed upset at the decision.

Caitlin Clark is heated on the bench and wants an explanation from Christie Sides as she gets taken out with the fever down just 2 with 4:22 to play in the first quarter

— JamoSZN 王 (@thesheeptrades) July 14, 2024

Someone tell Christie Sides that you can get Caitlin going by letting her play her style of ball and not TAKING HER OUT OF THE GAME WITH 5 MINUTES LEFT IN THE FIRST QUARTER
— K. (@katieweavil) July 14, 2024

While the Fever are still finding ways to win games, there still seems to be some discord between Clark and Sides.