The Fever lost a close game against the Los Angeles Sparks at home.

ndiana Fever head coach Christie Sides is facing intense criticism following her decision to bench rookie sensation Caitlin Clark during a crucial stretch of Tuesday night’s game against the Sparks.

Fans in disbelief of Christie Sides’ coaching decisions

The Indiana Fever, now 1-7 for the season, seemed poised for a rare victory against the Los Angeles Sparks, leading confidently into the third quarter.

Clark, the top overall draft pick, had been instrumental in this lead, showcasing her exceptional skills on both ends of the court.

However, Coach Sides’ decision to rest Clark proved disastrous.

The Fever’s momentum quickly dissipated, allowing the Sparks to seize control with an 11-0 run.

By the time Clark returned to the floor, the damage was done, and the Fever struggled to regain their footing, ultimately succumbing to an 88-82 defeat.

This loss has left fans irate, with many taking to social media to voice their frustration and call for Sides’ dismissal.

“Caitlin Clark was playing lights out, and then Sides benches her? Unreal,” one fan lamented on X.

Another echoed the sentiment, “Christie Sides might be the worst professional basketball coach I’ve ever seen. The team had the game in the bag before that decision.”

Check out some of the discourse taking place on X following the loss:

Clark’s best game ends in another defeat

Clark’s individual performance was nothing short of stellar.

She tallied a season-high 30 points, complemented by five rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks.

Despite her efforts, the Fever’s overall shooting struggles (38.2% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc) and untimely turnovers, including seven from Clark herself, undermined their chances.

Fans’ discontent has been building over the course of the season, but this latest incident has brought it to a boiling point.

The common refrain is that while it’s understandable not to overburden Clark, Sides’ timing and substitution patterns have repeatedly cost the team their leads and momentum.

One particularly pointed comment read, “Every time they get hot, she benches Caitlin Clark, and the opposing team goes on a run. It’s like clockwork.”

The Fever’s rocky start can also be attributed to a challenging schedule, but many supporters feel that coaching decisions have exacerbated their difficulties.

Sides has been under fire not just for this game but for a series of questionable decisions that fans believe have directly led to their poor record.

Looking ahead, the Fever have a chance to regroup as they prepare to host the Seattle Storm on Thursday.

This game will be crucial for Sides and the team, as they seek to recover from their recent setbacks and reclaim some confidence.

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Clark, who is averaging a team-leading 15.4 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.1 steals, will undoubtedly be under a miscroscope once again.

Alongside her, contributions from Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and NaLyssa Smith will be crucial if the Fever hope to turn their season around.