The Indiana Fever dropped their WNBA playoff opener to the Connecticut Sun on Sunday afternoon. Unable to generate much offensively, Indiana made just six of their 28 three-point attempts.
It was an uncharacteristic game for All-Star rookie Caitlin Clark. Making just four of her 17 field goal attempts and two of her 13 three-point attempts, Clark was never able to find a rhythm.
After trailing by just eight points at halftime, Indiana fell by a final score of 93-69. Connecticut ran away with this win behind a 25-12 fourth quarter and game-high 27 points overall for veteran guard Marina Mabrey.
While poor shooting and an inability to contain Mabrey were the two biggest issues for Indiana in this loss, many fans are calling for the firing of head coach Christie Sides.
“@IndianaFever We gave Christie Sides more chances than she deserved, but it’s time to replace her with Cheryl Miller,” @President_Wen wrote on X. “Make it happen… #FireChristieSides”
Some fans were upset with how long Sides waited to make a defensive adjustment against Mabrey.
@jarjarbink87427 on X wrote, “NOW SIDES PUTS LEXI ON MABREY WITH 27 POINTS LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO FIRE SIDES NOW!!!!!! @IndianaFever”
With how Indiana performed in this game, some fans believe Sides did not prepare her team for the WNBA playoffs.
“Fever need to fire Sides,” @OoSpookie wrote on X. “If they run it is all Clark/Mitchell/Boston taking the correct thing in front of them. If they don’t run, they stand around, nobody moves or runs plays. Sides does not prepare the team at all.”
The replies to Indiana’s postgame graphic include several messages about firing Sides.
“Fire Sides,” @letCCcook wrote on X.
This opening round series is a best-of-five, so the Fever have an opportunity to even the series and claim home court advantage with a win in game two.
While Sides will need to make adjustments, Clark and her teammates will also need to improve as the series continues.