Christie Sides Getting Called Out For Late Caitlin Clark Decision In Fever-Mercury

On Sunday afternoon, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever defeated Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and the Phoenix Mercury by a final score of 88-82. The Fever ended their two-game skid and moved to 8-12 in the 2024 WNBA season.

After the game, WNBA fans were calling out Fever coach Christie Sides for pulling Caitlin Clark in the final seconds.

Clark needed just one more rebound to secure her first WNBA triple-double, but she was subbed out for Indiana's final defensive possession. Because of this, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star did not get her triple-double. This would have been the first triple-double ever by a WNBA rookie.

Clark was ultimately benched as a defensive strategy, with better options available, but fans expressed their displeasure with Sides' decision by criticizing her on social media.

Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever Getty Images

Clark finished the game with 15 points on 4 of 14 shooting, nine rebounds, and 12 assists.

"Christie Sides not putting Caitlin in a position to get 1 rebound at the end of game is a travesty… she’s a joke"

"Shame on Christie Sides for not having Cailtin in the game at the end to get that triple double."

"Christie Sides killed the triple double. I want her gone"

"Christie Sides really not gunna let CC get the first rookie triple double? Wild."

"Christie Sides takes out Clark when she’s 1 rebound away from a triple double. Sides is literally the worst. Fire Christie Sides"

"I hate christie sides she just needed a rebound"

Despite not picking up the first-ever rookie triple-double, she did make history by breaking the Fever team record for most assists in a rookie season.