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 beaten 88-87 in another enthralling encounter with the Sky, who finally beat their newfound WNBA rivals at the third attempt this season.
It proved a disappointing night for Indiana after they surrendered the lead in the final two-and-a-half minutes of the game and failed to claw it back, with Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter and Camilla Cardoso inspiring Chicago to victory late on.
As the hosts finished strong at Wintrust Arena, Clark failed to make an impact in the latter stages of the game after choosing to pass to teammates on several occasions instead of going for glory herself.
Incredibly, the No. 1 Draft pick and former college sensation only took two shots in the final seven minutes, despite being one of the greatest shooters in women’s basketball for many a year.
Fans fumed over 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 drew to a close, the aforementioned pair had what looked like a heated exchange on the court.
In a clip circulating on social media, Clark can be seen gesturing furiously with her right arm out while talking with Sides, before the Fever coach responds to her complaints.
The 22-year-old didn’t seem too pleased with her response, throwing both arms out and letting out a sigh to make her frustrations known.
One user suggested on social media: ‘Christie Sides & Caitlin Clark were arguing towards the end of the game. Clark didn’t like the game plan from Sides.
‘This is going to be an issue because Christie Sides went away from the pick & roll, Chicago was having an issue stopping it. Indiana would have won this game’.
A number of other users lamented Clark’s lack of shots after the game, with one writing: ‘She should have been more selfish at the end.’
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III felt the Fever rookie missed a golden opportunity to win the game late on, saying: ‘Caitlin Clark should have taken the last shot. That’s why you have her. For moments like that. Period.’
However, others felt Sides let Clark down on the night and didn’t run enough plays for her star talent to come up clutch.
One commented: ‘Indiana Fever has the best shooter in the history of College Basketball in Caitlin Clark who is known for her clutchness. Yet Christie Sides didn’t run one play for her in the last three minutes of this game.’
Another said: ‘Bold move by Christie Sides to go with the “stick Caitlin Clark in the corner” offense in the final minutes. Not sure we’ve hit the rim.’
A third commented: ‘Does the coach NOT have a play to give Caitlin a three-point shot in a clutch. Seriously seems like Coach Sides is designing plays to exclude and isolate Clark. WTF? And Yes, Reese and gang played good B-ball today.’
While one put: ‘Christie Sides and the coaching crew failed the Fever. They cannot create a possession for Caitlin Clark. She’s not just another player’.
Despite criticism over 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 or two for me to probably attempt another shot there at the end, but I trust my teammates.’
Clark did record a franchise-high 13 assists despite Indiana’s loss on the night, but Sides also appeared to question why she didn’t take more shots in the closing stages in her postgame press conference.
‘I never want her to not be aggressive and take shots,’ she said before specifically referencing a moment late in the fourth quarter. ‘I thought she was going to take it to the rim or pull up right. That would have been a great shot for her and for our team.’