WNBA: Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever
Credit: IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides has come under heavy fire after drawing up a play at the end of the team’s loss to the Chicago Sky that did not involve their star player.

Angel Reese and the Sky on Sunday notched their first victory against Indiana this season. The third installment in the Reese-Clark rivalry saw the Fever blow a 15-point lead. Worse, they lost by just a point: 88-87.

It was a tough loss, for sure. But it has since been tougher for Sides, who has been bombarded with criticism for seemingly forgetting she has a star sharpshooter on her team.

Clark didn’t get any shots in the waning moments of her team’s collapse, something fans on social media compared to Michael Jordan not being given the rock in a pivotal game during his prime.

Sides explained her rationale following the game.

“I mean, it was just to get a quick touch right there, AB [Aliyah Boston] turn, and get a basket,” she said of the final team possession which could have delivered a game-winning shot.

RELATED: Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky Mock Caitlin Clark Fans After They Finally Beat The Fever

Indiana Fever Coach Christie Sides Gets Roasted

Needless to say, AB didn’t hit the shot. She was off by just a touch, to put it mildly.

Boston has been brilliant during the Fever’s recent win streak, seemingly finding solid chemistry with the new rookie. But that was not a comfortable shot for her from that range.

The loss led to the Chicago Sky posting mocking messages to Clark’s fans while Reese celebrated her impressive performance in the game saying she’s “a dog.”

One fan on social media posted screenshots from the game in which Clark appears confused by Sides’ decision-making process in the heat of the moment.

“Imagine Phil Jackson dialing up plays for a 1-2 with Steve Kerr and Bill Cartwright with Michael Jordan standing in the corner,” one critic wrote in a rather harsh take.

“Lunacy. Christie Sides should be a receptionist at a doctor’s office.”

“What a mess! Sides needs to go,” another fan wrote in comments on the YouTube video of the post-game presser.

RELATED: Caitlin Clark Sets WNBA Record, Then Breaks Team Record Against Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky

Is The Criticism Warranted?

It’s not as if Clark was having a particularly down night in the game against the Sky. So the Indiana Fever coach could certainly have drawn up a play exclusively for her.

But, perhaps Christie Sides was drawing on the fact that Clark was having a record-setting performance in the assists department.

Clark finished the game with 17 points, 13 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. Those 13 assists broke the Indiana Fever‘s single-game franchise assists record.

Caitlin’s thoughts on the final play? Her typical humble self.

“I mean, sure, you can wish it,” she said when asked if she would have liked to have taken the final shot.

“I’m sure there was an opportunity or two for me to probably attempt another shot there at the end, but I trust my teammates,” she added. “I’m gonna give them the ball every time.”

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