Christie Sides defends bold decision to have Aliyah Boston take potential game-tying three. Photo Credits: Imagn

Christie Sides defends bold decision to have Aliyah Boston take potential game-tying 3-pointer over Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell

Modified Sep 14, 2024 10:30 GMT

Christie Sides has done a tremendous job of turning around the Indiana Fever franchise. But the coach came under fire for a bold play call in the final seconds of her team's loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Friday.

With the clock winding down and the Aces holding a slender three-pont lead, Sides drew up a play that saw center Aliyah Boston the final shot over guards Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.

Clark and Boston both had touches on the ball, but it was a wide open Boston who had the chance to tie the game with a corner three. Her shot, though, spun out, and the Aces escaped with a 78-74 win.

Following the game, Christe Sides defended her decision to put the ball in Boston's hands at a critical stage of the game.

"It was a great shot, it rimmed in and out. I have a lot of confidence in her to take that shot. I was so ok with that wide open three by Aliyah Boston right there," said Sides.

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On the sideline, Sides had told Boston to be ready for the final shot if called upon. She discussed how opposing teams have started playing tighter defense on Clark and Kelsey, two of the Fever's best shooters.

"People know it is going to be really hard to get Caitlin a shot in those possessions. ... teams are going to scheme against Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell," added Sides.

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Kelsey and Clark have been two of the WNBA's elite scorers, averaging 19.3 and 19.1 points per game, respectively.

Clark ranks first in the league with an average of three 3-pointers per game. The rookie is shooting an impressive 33.7 percent from three, converting 114 of her 338 attempts.

Aliyah Boston, the first overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, is shooting 29.2 percent from behind the arc this season.

Christie Sides has guided the Indiana Fever to the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2016

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides with guard Caitlin Clark against the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

The Indiana Fever took the decision to offer Christie Sides her first coaching job in 2022, and that gamble seems to have paid off. The Fever cliched a postseason berth this year, ending a seven-year postseason drought.

It was a rough start to the year for Sides, with Indiana winning just one of their first nine games. The Louisiana native made adjustments, and the team has looked significantly better since June 1.

Over their last 29 games, the Fever have gone 18-11 and have lost just four games at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana. This season, the Fever have a 19-19 record and are sixth in the standings.

Overall, Christie Sides has a 32-46 record over the last two seasons with the Fever.

With a talented group of players that includes Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, the coach will look for her first playoff win when the postseason begins on Sept. 22.