It was a season to remember for the Indiana Fever, especially with the walking highlight reel that is Caitlin Clark earning the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote (yeah, no surprises there). But while Clark was getting fitted for her Rookie of the Year crown, Coach Christie Sides was left out in the cold. And I mean arctic-level cold. Apparently, in the WNBA’s award banquet, there’s room for only one star per franchise, and this year it wasn’t Sides.
The Fever may have punched their playoff ticket this season, but when it came to handing out the Coach of the Year award, the league delivered a solid “Thanks, but no thanks” to Sides. The head coach received just one vote—yes, one. Let that sink in. It’s like inviting someone to a potluck and all they get is the last half of a stale breadstick. Meanwhile, Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx was over there stacking Coach of the Year trophies like it’s a casual hobby—62 out of 67 votes! And that, my friends, is what we call a landslide.
Reeve now holds four of those shiny Coach of the Year awards, because, well, consistency and roster decisions that would make even Gregg Popovich jealous. But here’s where it stings: Sides turned the Fever’s season around after a rocky start and even won Coach of the Month in August, the first time in the franchise’s history. Apparently, the WNBA thought one month was enough for her. As for Coach of the Year? Better luck next season, Christie.
August Fever and Then… Silence
Let’s talk about that August run. The Fever posted a sizzling 5-1 record and boasted the league’s highest-rated offense—yeah, that kind of offense. You know, the one where you suddenly wonder if someone secretly swapped your roster for the Golden State Warriors. But while Sides was steering the ship to calmer waters, she couldn’t escape the shipwreck of her early season struggles. Starting 2-8 in your first 10 games isn’t exactly a recipe for Coach of the Year honors, but hey, no one said turning the Titanic around would be easy.
And so, while Cheryl Reeve was busy breaking records, Sides was out there showing us what resilience looks like. Despite being snubbed, Fever fans have reason to believe this could just be the start of something bigger. Caitlin Clark is just getting warmed up, and let’s not forget Aliyah Boston, last year’s Rookie of the Year. That’s back-to-back Rookie of the Year wins, for those keeping score at home. What Sides lacked in accolades, she certainly makes up for in potential.
Mitchell and Smith: Staying or Going?
But not all news is golden in Fever land. Kelsey Mitchell, the team’s veteran scorer, is an unrestricted free agent and might just have one foot out the door. Losing her could feel like losing your Wi-Fi connection when you’re two seconds away from completing an online order—complete frustration. And it doesn’t help that NaLyssa Smith is out here dropping cryptic Instagram posts, making Fever fans break out their best detective skills. Sure, she said it’s not a farewell, but it was just vague enough to make everyone nervous.
If Mitchell and Smith both decide to jump ship, Christie Sides is going to need more than a Coach of the Month award—she’ll need a miracle (or perhaps Caitlin Clark to clone herself). The offseason just got a whole lot more interesting, and Fever fans are probably scrolling Twitter with their fingers crossed, hoping for a glimmer of good news.
But hey, at least Fever fans can bask in the glory of Clark’s Rookie of the Year win, right? Or maybe they’re just wishing Sides got a bit more than that one pity vote. Either way, the Fever’s future is anything but boring, and isn’t that what sports are all about?
Final Thoughts: From Snubbed to Supersized Comeback?
So while Cheryl Reeve and the Minnesota Lynx party like it’s their fourth title (oh wait, it is), the Indiana Fever have some soul-searching to do. Can Christie Sides rally her young squad, especially if Mitchell and Smith bounce? Will Caitlin Clark continue to be the WNBA’s biggest star? Or will Sides’ moment in the spotlight be snubbed again next year? One thing’s for sure: you might want to keep an eye on the Fever, because this underdog story is far from over.
