Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides has called on rookie sensation Caitlin Clark to assert herself more offensively following a subdued performance in Thursday’s loss to the Seattle Storm.
Clark expressed disappointment with her showing, particularly her reluctance to shoot from long range—a skill that has been a hallmark of her game since her collegiate days and now in the WNBA.
“Caitlin Clark needs to shoot a minimum of 15 shots a game for us,” Sides stated emphatically in her post-match interview.
This comment followed Clark’s mere nine shot attempts in an 89-77 defeat to the Storm, as reported by ESPN’s statistics.
“She’s got to get shots, and we’ve got to do a better job of setting her up, setting some really good screens for her to get her open,” Sides elaborated.
Is This a Temporary Slump?
Clark has had a commendable rookie season, boasting averages of 16.2 points and 6.6 assists per game while attempting 12.2 field goals per game. Despite the physicality of WNBA defenses, Sides believes that increasing Clark’s on-ball opportunities is vital for the Fever’s success.
Clark’s 12.2 field goal attempts per game place her 22nd in the WNBA this year, the highest among rookies. However, she has only reached 15 shot attempts once in the last 10 games, a notable decline from her college days at Iowa, where she averaged 22.7 shots per game.
In the past two games, Clark’s aggressiveness has waned, much to Sides’ chagrin. During Thursday’s defeat, Clark took only nine shots, whereas three other Fever players managed to attempt more. Leading the team in shot attempts, fellow guard Kelsey Mitchell averages 13.4 shots per game.
In an 88-87 loss to Angel Reese’s Sky on June 23, Clark took just one shot in the final seven minutes and three shots in the fourth quarter, as the Fever squandered a 15-point third-quarter lead. Clark chose to pass rather than take a potential go-ahead shot in the final 20 seconds.
“I never want her to not be aggressive and take shots,” Sides said after the loss.
“I really thought when she went out in transition after that missed free throw, she was going to take it to the rim or pull up right there. That would have been a great shot for her, for our team.“
Sides’ comments underscore the high expectations placed on Clark and highlight the team’s reliance on her scoring prowess. As the Fever look to turn their season around, Clark’s increased assertiveness could be the key to their success.
