INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 16: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the game against the New York Liberty on May 16, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Indiana Fever are just 1-8 after their latest loss – a 15-point drubbing at the hands of the Seattle Storm at home last night. Rookie Caitlin Clark was solid once again, but is starting to take a lot more criticism for being unable to lift the team to more wins. Clark’s head coach doesn’t want to hear it though.

Speaking to the media last night, Fever head coach Christie Sides praised Clark for continuing to fight hard despite taking a ton of punishment in every game. She pointed out that the team won just five games before she arrived and only 13 in her first year, so she knows that there’s a long road ahead.

“Listen, I took this job last year and they won 5 games… we don’t want to settle for 13 wins… [Caitlin’s] getting beat up, she keeps fighting. Got some great people in my locker room, we’re gonna keep fighting.”

An impassioned Christie Sides on what this team means: “Listen, I took this job last year and they won 5 games… we don’t want to settle for 13 wins… [Caitlin’s] getting beat up, she keeps fighting. Got some great people in my locker room, we’re gonna keep fighting.”

Full clip: pic.twitter.com/wdjdbn0rKE

— Matthew Byrne (@MatthewByrne1) May 31, 2024

Things reached a boiling point when Sides got a technical foul for how hard she fought the officials over some questionable calls.

Fans are praising Sides for standing up for her team so publicly and passionately.

“She showed a lot tonight in the presser. It was the first time I felt like she was frustrated for them not at them,” one user noted.

“I’ve been critical but I liked what I just heard. Was also glad she got a tech fighting for her players. It’s early,” wrote another.

“Kudos to Coach Sides for her technical!” a third wrote.

Will Sides, Clark and the Fever turn things around this season?