Caitlin Clark responded after having a disappointing Game 1 in her playoff career. In Game 2, she put up impressive numbers with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. The last rookie in WNBA playoff history to reach those numbers was Magic Johnson back in 1980. Not only that, but Caitlin Clark was also the first rookie to achieve a 25-5-5 playoff game since the league’s inception. It’s clear that Caitlin came to play tonight; unfortunately, no one else seemed to join her.

The Connecticut Sun defeated the Indiana Fever 87-81, sweeping the series 2-0 in Caitlin’s WNBA playoff debut. Aaliyah Boston had a decent game with 16 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. While those numbers are good, I’m still frustrated by her missed layups. Boston was 0-for-4 on wide-open layups in the first quarter, which is simply unacceptable in the playoffs. Missing layups will not lead to wins, regardless of the situation.

Aaliyah Boston is now among the WNBA players who have recorded 15 or more rebounds in a playoff game at age 22 or younger, joining the likes of Tina Charles, Candace Parker, and Cheryl Ford. Salute to you, Aaliyah Boston!

As for Kelsey Mitchell, we really needed her to step up tonight. She managed 17 points and 3 assists, but we were hoping for more. Caitlin Clark brought it, and while Aaliyah Boston played well enough, we needed Kelsey to help carry the team. Unfortunately, she struggled, going 5-for-18 from the field and 0-for-5 from downtown. It just wasn’t her series. I don’t know if it was first-time playoff jitters or something else, but I believe she is capable of putting up 20-25 points, regardless of who’s guarding her.

Now, let’s talk about the coaching decisions made by Christy Sides. After 41 games, she finally inserted Tamy Fagbenie into the starting lineup, and you could tell the Fever played with more confidence. However, foul trouble reared its ugly head, and the referees’ performance was questionable, with too many ticky-tack fouls being called against the Indiana Fever. Turnovers also hurt the team, as the bench contributed absolutely nothing—no points from Erica Wheeler, no points from Dantis, and no points from Smith during her limited minutes.

This was a do-or-die situation, and we needed everyone to perform at their best. Tamy had a couple of missed bunnies, but if we had this starting lineup for the latter half of the season, we might not have found ourselves in this predicament. I’m not blaming this loss on Alyssa Smith, Caitlin Clark, or Kelsey Mitchell. Instead, we’ve been discussing Christy Sides’ decisions all season long.

It’s become a pattern; she allows opposing teams to go on runs without calling timeouts, starts players who shouldn’t be in the lineup, and makes questionable substitution choices. For example, Lexi Hull sat the entire second quarter. This was a Christy Sides special, no matter how you slice it. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell are undoubtedly the two best players on the court, yet in a critical game, only Caitlin stepped up.

With the Fever’s season now over, it’s time for a shake-up. We need to part ways with Christy Sides and Alyssa Smith. Aaliyah Boston, you need to improve your grip strength. You recorded 19 rebounds, but it could have been more if you could hold onto the ball. When we grab defensive rebounds, we can push the pace and get out in transition. But when we let the ball slip away, it only slows us down and hands the advantage to the opposing team.

This isn’t solely Aaliyah’s fault; Christy Sides has been the worst coach in the WNBA. Regardless of how talented Caitlin Clark is, Sides’ inability to make adjustments will continue to plague the Indiana Fever. We just hired a new president, Kelly. Please, let’s get rid of this coach and bring in someone who knows what they’re doing. Kurt Miller, recently fired from the Sparks, would be a great choice as a two-time Coach of the Year. Another option is Mark Jackson, an Indiana alum who understands the game differently and emphasizes defense.

We can’t endure another season of Christy Sides being delusional and failing to make adjustments. This game was winnable. We were not only playing against the Sun but also against questionable officiating. The Indiana Fever had opportunities but fell short.

Now, let’s dive into the game itself. The venue was electric, with nearly 300 people in attendance. There are plans for renovations to improve the seating, but the rustic appeal will remain. We truly appreciate everyone who showed up to support.

Starting with the first quarter, we saw a new lineup: Clark, Mitchell, Hull, Tamy, and Aaliyah. This was the starting five fans had been asking for the past 20-25 games, yet Christy waited until the playoffs to make this change. It’s typical of her to wait until it’s too late.

Caitlin hit a three-pointer to start, and things were looking good, but we saw missed layups from Aaliyah and Lexi Hull. At one point, Aaliyah went 0-for-4 on layups within three feet. How can that happen?

The officiating was a disaster. Caitlin was fouled multiple times without getting calls, and Kelsey Mitchell also faced bad calls. We were up 14-10 when Nelissa Smith checked in, and from that moment on, the Fever’s performance dipped. The Connecticut Sun went on a 33-10 run, and without any timeouts called by Christy, we found ourselves trailing.

The second quarter ended with the Fever losing 41-34. Erica Wheeler had a chance for a layup at the buzzer but missed. The Fever came out strong in the second half, but the referees continued to make poor calls, leading to an unfair game. At one point, we were up 48-42, but the Sun closed out the quarter with a 14-4 run, leading 61-52 into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Fever struggled to hold their ground. They had a chance to take control of the game, but Christy’s coaching decisions continued to be questionable. In a crucial possession, Caitlin got double-teamed, and instead of calling a timeout, Christy allowed the play to continue, leading to a turnover.

As the game reached its climax, Kelsey Mitchell had opportunities to tie the game but fell short. The team wasn’t ready to close out the game, and this reflects poorly on the coaching staff.

Looking at the stats, we shot 43% to the Sun’s 41%, and both teams struggled from beyond the arc. The glaring issue was the free throw disparity: the Sun had 23 attempts compared to the Fever’s 9. The officiating was appalling, highlighting why the WNBA often faces criticism.

In conclusion, it’s time for major changes within the Indiana Fever organization. The talent is there, but without the right leadership, success will remain elusive.

4o mini