Caitlin Clark’s coach wants her to make two big changes as Fever struggle
Caitlin Clark is adjusting to the WNBA — and her coach has a couple of noteworthy suggestions.
The Fever rookie, who scored a season-best 30 points in an 88-82 home loss to the Sparks on Tuesday night, needs to work on her mid-range game and spend less time talking to officials.
That message came from Indiana head coach Christie Sides after the Fever fell to 1-7 in front of a sellout crowd of 16,013 — featuring Pacers stars Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard, former Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton and NFL players Shaquille Leonard and Nick Cross — at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 28, 2024.Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides talks to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during a timeout on May 28, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
“We’re spending too much time talking to the officials. We’ve got to leave that alone. We’ve got to just play our game and let them do their job and not put it in their hands,” Sides said in a postgame press conference when asked about Clark’s technical foul in the first quarter. “We shouldn’t get technicals. Let me get the technicals.”
Clark received a technical foul with 2.7 seconds remaining in the first quarter, for what appeared to be a verbal matter, and Sides had words for her when she pulled her to the side during L.A.’s free throws.
Sides did not explain why Clark was assessed the tech.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to scoring three-points Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
The coach also emphasized that she wanted her players — specifically Clark — to focus on their mid-range game ahead of Friday’s eventual 78-73 win against the Sparks.
The coach even changed up pre-game shooting drills to work on long two-pointers first, according to The Indy Star.
Sides has been vocal about getting Clark — who’s known for flashy long-range 3-pointers, which made her arguably the greatest shooter in college basketball — more comfortable in the mid-range.
Indiana shot just 38.2 percent from the field, and struggled with turnovers and perimeter defense.
The Sparks made a season-best 14 3-pointers.
Sides explained that the Fever didn’t execute their defensive scheme correctly.
“We were going under some of the screens that we were supposed to be going over on these shooters and we were gambling,” she said. “Getting out of position and then late to where we were supposed to be.”
Dearica Hamby #5 of the Los Angeles Sparks attempts a shot against Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the fourth quarter in the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 28, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.Getty Images
Clark drew eight fouls, the most by any WNBA rookie this season.
“I think everybody’s physical with me. They get away with things, you know, probably other people don’t,” Clark said. “It’s tough, but it’s a very physical game. That’s just professional basketball.”
Sides agreed, adding, “They could probably have called five or six more fouls with the way they keep both hands on her.”
Aliyah Boston, the Fever’s No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023, finished with 17 points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Fever play the Storm in Indiana on Thursday.
