Caitlin Clark appeared to have a disagreement with Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides in the closing stages of their loss to the Chicago Sky on Sunday night.
Clark and the Fever were defeated 88-87 in another enthralling encounter with the Sky, who ultimately defeated their new WNBA rivals at the third attempt this season.
It proved to be a disappointing night for Indiana after they surrendered the lead in the final two and a half minutes of the game and failed to regain it, with Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter and Camilla Cardoso inspiring Chicago to victory late in the game.
While the hosts finished strongly at the Wintrust Arena, Clark failed to impress in the latter stages of the match, having opted on several occasions to pass to teammates rather than go for glory himself.
Incredibly, the No. 1 Draft pick and former college sensation took just two shots in the final seven minutes despite being one of the best shooters in women’s basketball for years.
Caitlin Clark appeared to have a disagreement with Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides (right) in their loss to the Chicago Sky on Sunday night
Fans were outraged by her lack of involvement in the fourth quarter, with some calling on Clark to be more “selfish” and others pointing the finger at Sides’ tactics.
And as Sunday’s game came to a close, the aforementioned pair had what appeared to be a heated argument on the field.
In a clip circulating on social media, Clark can be seen angrily waving her right arm out as she talks to Sides, before the Fever coach responds to her complaints.
The 22-year-old didn’t seem too happy with her reaction, throwing both arms forward and letting out a sigh to express her frustrations.
One user suggested on social media: ‘Christie Sides and Caitlin Clark had an argument towards the end of the game. Clark didn’t like Sides’ game plan.
“This is going to be a problem because Christie Sides left the pick and roll and Chicago had a problem stopping it. Indiana would have won this game.”
A number of other users complained about Clark’s lack of shots after the match, with one writing: “She should have been more selfish in the end.”
Clark failed to inspire the Fever to a third successive win over the Sky on Sunday evening
As the game came to a close, the No. 1 Draft pick had a heated argument with coach Sides
Clark threw her arms out and sighed in frustration after Sides responded to her complaints
Another said: ‘How about you trust yourself a little more Caitlin. You are a clutch player on this trajectory. Had a great match and you postponed it. Where is your ‘confidence’ these days?’
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III felt the Fever rookie missed a golden opportunity late to win the game, saying, “Caitlin Clark should have taken the last shot. That’s why you have her. For moments like that. Period of time.’
Others, however, felt that Sides let Clark down that night and didn’t make enough plays to get her star talent going.
Someone commented, “Indiana Fever has the best shooter in College Basketball history in Caitlin Clark, who is known for her craft. Yet Christie Sides did not make a single play for her in the last three minutes of this match.”
Another said: ‘Bold move by Christie Sides to pull off the ‘stick Caitlin Clark in the corner’ attack in the final minutes. I’m not sure we’ve reached the edge.’
A third commented: ‘Doesn’t the coach have ANY chance to give Caitlin a clutch three-point shot? It seriously looks like Coach Sides is designing plays to lock out and isolate Clark. WTF? And yes, Reese and the gang played some good B-ball today.”
While one said: ‘Christie Sides and the coaching crew failed the Fever. They can’t create assets for Caitlin Clark. She’s not just a player.”
Fans were outraged online over the lack of shots Clark was making as the game slipped away from Indiana
Ex-NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III was one of many who felt she should have done more
Despite criticism of her lack of shots, Clark defended her decision to pass the ball to her teammates more often in the defeat, saying, “I’m sure there was an opportunity for me to probably get another shot there at the end to attempt. but I trust my teammates.”
Clark recorded a franchise-high 13 assists despite losing to Indiana that night, but Sides also seemed to wonder why she didn’t make more shots in the closing stages of her post-game press conference.
“I never want her to not be aggressive and take shots,” she said before specifically referring to a moment late in the fourth quarter. “I thought she was going to take it to the edge or pull it to the right. That would have been a great opportunity for her and for our team.”