Caitlin Clark, Christie Sides pregame Fever vs Mercury - on ESPYS, Indiana, NaLyssa Smith starting

Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever head coach Christies Sides talked to local reporters before their home game against the Phoenix Mercury.
Clark talked about the giant Gatorade ad on the JW Marriott Indy, winning two ESPYs, making history, support from Indiana basketball fans, four straight games with double-digit assists and more. Then, Sides made an opening statement about NaLyssa Smith not starting last game, talked about Clark winning the ESPYs, Celeste Taylor's opportunity with the Mercury, rebounding, and more.
0:00 Caitlin Clark
06:04 Christie Sides
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Scott Agness runs www.fieldhousefiles.com/ covering the Pacers and Fever.
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[@DibbyDon-iq9kj]

CC never makes it about herself she always points to those who came before total class 🏀😎

[@LAVERDADTHETRUTH-fo5jl]

same mentality as Michael Jordan. thats one of the reason he is the GOAT. and She going to be too.

[@aarongerig9223]

You have to be REALLY good in order to pull that off lol.

[@user-ql5cd2yl3m]

She is THE TRUE DEFINITION OF A PEOPLE'S CHAMPION

[@SamanthaNasca]

Wow love Caitlin's responses. Such a valuable perspective on the sport and so mature to mention the women who paved the way who are just as deserving of recognition and awards. I am truly impressed by the way she holds herself in these interviews.

[@malekesy2924]

very good communicator , we love hearing her interviews

[@ericMT]

Caitlin was also pretty good.

[@MaxxZimonick]

Can someone actually ask Christie Sides real questions? Like why she doesn’t draw up plays for Caitlin Clark at the end of games? Why does Kelsey Mitchell who was 0 for 7 from the 3pt line get the last shot when Caitlin was 5 for 9? Why does Sides take Caitlin off the court for defensive purposes when she has so many steals and points off of steals and blocks? How many times do we have to watch Erica Wheeler blow any chance of a win with her terrible fouls? At what point do we take Katie Lou off the court when she can’t stop fouling everyone?

[@ericMT]

Because she won’t answer those questions. Kind of weak but the media is trying to get on her good side. No pun intended.

[@keiththompson5193]

These are the real questions that we really care about. Instead they ask Caitlin how she feels about winning awards. Duh.. "I think it sucks". What stupid questions!

[@OldBadGamer614]

​@@ericMT You're 100% correct. She will refuse to answer and it's not because she can't it's because she has been actively and tediously working to hamper Clarks success and keep her numbers from being where they should be and just letting her run amok like she should be, she is a part of the political/alphabet squad and will not go against it. Therefore she just says "ai won't discuss team matters". I just want someone to ask her "After all her poor decisions, the bad gameplans, the random benching of CC in games, the letting Mitchell who doesn't pass and chucks up very poor shots, why she thinks she deserves to be the Indiana Fever head coach next year and beyond?" She likely wouldn't answer that one either but Id still ask every interview I had the chance just to rub it in, kind of like Peter Doocey dies to KJP at the White House conferences lol

[@brianwhite2784]

The media group at these games are failing us. These are the questions they should be asking. Here’s another one, “Christy, do you think CC deserves ROTY? Why?” Force her to take a real position besides some watered down answer she gave the other day, “she’s really competitive.”

[@deborahsprather6161]

All good questions.

[@anbm8587]

Triple double tonight with the win

[@i_DayDream_]

🤞🏽

[@DvFBaHaMuT]

Lets be real if you don't like her as a player you have to like her character I mean for it all being about her she does her best to show everyone love. World needs more of this 🙌

[@lindaboakye3370]

Facts!

[@MrMjolnir009]

It's so amazing how professional, poised, and thoughtful she is given her age of only 22 yrs old. She is much more articulate and measured than her coach, Christy Sides. Also, I love how she is always so complimentary and respectful about the other teams and players on the WNBA, despite how most of them attack, slight, constantly deride her in interviews, social media, and televised events! God bless this national treasure and protect her!!!

[@clarencejackson8165]

Let go Aliyah and Clark ball out to night

[@thelmaalmaden8131]

Clark very humble person. She never give credit to herself its always her team. No doubt she is so successful and very talented.

[@raulsalazar6362]

#CatlinClark ALLSTAR JERSEY SOLD OUT IN 15 MINUTES! 😢😅😂❤

[@MrMjolnir009]

The Caitlin Clark Effect!!!

[@Copterman]

Let’s go Fever!

[@raulsalazar6362]

All the People that continue to Throw shade on her and she compliments them and kills them with Kindness and Success! #THECATLINCLARKWAY

[@MrMjolnir009]

And... that's why so many people love Caitlin!!!!

[@OldBadGamer614]

She doesn't need to play into their nasty games, she lets her actions and game silence them and drown out anything they wanna say. Even with a coach that is actively trying to hinder her game and keep her from her real success.

[@armandomoreno2284]

The Leadership Mentality she has at such young age. It is inspiring. This gives the world hope for a better future for sure. :)

[@kimsharp265]

Greatness clothed in genuine humility is a beautiful thing…it’s fun to watch you enjoy the journey, Caitlin 🔥🏀🔥!!! Fever TEAM excitement!!!

[@angelas4681]

💙 CC 💛

[@Keeks1983]

Happy to hear Lyssa is back!

[@tanyawilliams1887]

What an incredible two years this has been watching her move from Iowa into the pros....and she has not changed at all. So classy!

[@DustyTail]

Love how when talking about Fever’s Championship with Tameka era, CC refers to it as “we”. Man,,this girl is beyond. Just beyond all of us honestly. fr.

[@bkeny4798]

She speaks like she's older than 22 with her maturity level and the respect she shows for other players. It would be nice if a lot more players would do the same for her. She's going to have an outstanding career and she'll win more than 1 championship. Please just get rid of sides

[@mellyap5442]

cc is really smart answering all the question of these reporters🤗 calm and relax,just like telling stories...💖

[@nhnative2257]

CCs parents did such an amazing job with her

[@DollFaceKilla]

I love her

[@bobbylee9727]

Is Celeste Taylor, who signed a seven day contract with the Phoenix, going to guard Caitlin Clark tonight? I think this is the question which pervades CC's mind today.

[@brianwhite2784]

Yeah I’m curious if they’re getting her on the court tonight.

[@mzzm5919]

What an amazing mature confident humble generous loving caring curious openhearted charming beautiful inside and out person she is. It’s not a facade. It’s not fake. It’s not put on. It’s genuinely genuine. What a human she is! Astounding!

[@JuneHolloway23]

And intelligent. Very.

[@PiscesMoon2You]

Will be interesting to see if the Mercury play Celeste Taylor to defend against Clark tonight. They signed her for 7 days. DT out with injury. Hope Celeste showcases her skills during their loss to the Fever tonight.😉

[@awruble9047]

Clark played Taylor at Ohio State and in Fever practice. I see zero issues

[@PiscesMoon2You]

@@awruble9047 I just want to see Celeste shine since Sides and Dunn did her so dirty. CC will be CC no matter who is on her.

[@awruble9047]

@@PiscesMoon2You She was shafted by Fever...Agree

[@PiscesMoon2You]

@@awruble9047 if they play her tonight I hope the Fever fans give her a standing Ovation when she steps on the court.

[@DarkAngel-zf3ck]

In 2024 Caitlin Clark set a record for setting a record. Only women to win an award establish in 2001 " Best Record-Breaking Performance Espy Award " for setting a record for most NCAA career points scored (men's and women's) 3951.

[@fifis677]

The Jason Williams of the WNBA right there.

[@lindawade4ok639]

Clark is a natural born leader

[@sigfriedcaban7298]

She's just class

[@user-bp7vi6de2l]

Fires sides!! The fever fans & players deserve a better coach.

[@jimmymcdonough9429]

Future GOAT of WNBA

[@margiesavage3222]

So would love to see a photo of that image on the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. I presume that's where it is and somewhere close to her apartment. That'd be kind of weird walking out of your apartment or looking out your window and you see a gigantic image of your face on the side of a building.😂

[@michaelkamau2957]

Yes, female sports especially basketball is high right now. Will the hype be sustainable??🏀 🏀 I hope so😊

[@jdneely9939]

Sounds like Smith violated a team rule.

[@Inzuse]

I wonder if it was that or is it something deeper.

[@JuneHolloway23]

Smith and bff Carrington posted a video on social media alleged intimacy during a game. idk. The WNBA rules, no rules, new rules, forget the rules who knows. Tuned out listening to 10 year olds. 🤡🎪🎠

[@randyking9489]

​@@Inzuse Definitely deep. Smith and Carrington carpet sharing with uniform on since they are dating. Broke fratenizing rule.

[@anerby1]

Does anyone else get stressed out and anxious listening to the coach?

[@JuneHolloway23]

Skip or mute works for me. Enjoy the game! 💕

[@OldBadGamer614]

Interesting that Sides addressed the change from last game after the backlash but sad that she keeps covering up the reason and locking it behind "team matters". Someone got In her booty hole and she was made to complete 180 back to where they were. I still believe the reason she made the change was bc CC got the triple double and she put Nylyssa Smith back in starting 5 immediately following to keep CC from getting rebounds.

[@rikmeistr46]

Sides sure sensitive about team composition last game. Hmmm…her reaction indicates to me there was some personnel issues behind the scenes. Hope it all works out tonight and Fever gets the right complement of players on the floor to bring the win home.

[@keiththompson5193]

Hey coach, why the hell did you make the final play for Mitchell, who was 0 for 7 and send the greatest scorer in college history to be a decoy even though she had already scored 15 points in the final period. Also you sent her to the BENCH! What the heck?

[@Leeaccio]

What they need is like a Dennis Rodman player, someone who doesn't care for points. Get that defense and rebounds.

[@brianwhite2784]

What do y’all think? Should Katie Lou be starting? I kinda like Lexie Hull starting instead to have a real good defensive player on the court, maybe to guard Copper.

[@Vadimony]

They should hire someone else to speak in for Sides. She's so bad at press conferences.

[@ronniejackson9990]

REALLY?

[@breezybreeze12]

She’s just bad

[@MrMjolnir009]

This coach is so crass and inarticulate; it's beyond belief that she is in that position of authority!!! 🤮

[@JuneHolloway23]

That's Caitlin Clark. Enjoy the game! 😬

[@seamus6666]

DID SIDES JUST SAY , IM NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT LOSS THE OTHER DAY ,WHATS WRONG WITH THE REPORTERS , WHY DONT THEY ASK SIDES ABOUT HER COACHING ABILITIES, THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH SIDES , SHE DOESNT KNOW HERSELF WHAT HER PLAN IS FOR TONIGHT , HOW ARE THE PLAYERS SUPPOSED TO KNOW , IF THEY WIN , OUR PLAN WORKED, IF THEY LOSE ,ITS THE PLAYERS FAULT, BS

[@jamesfender7381]

See how easy a double double is

[@staffordlee1430]

Smith and Carrington’s viral flirting during the game video was likely why she was pulled from the starting lineup last game. It was inappropriate and embarrassing!!!!

[@jamesfender7381]

They will need bigger stadiums for her

[@laushie03lggn]

Dont like Sides. Seems defensive all time.

[@breezybreeze12]

Sides needs to be fired immediately. She’s not head coach material at all

[@GeneWithaG813]

Sides exudes incompetence its painful to listen to her she's so frustrating. She has to know every cliche ever made 😐

[@rayon3383]

You Christy Sides just said you love the way Lexi Hull keeps the ball moving RIGHT? So why don't you bench Mitchell when she never keeps the ball moving once she has it that's where it stays 90% of the time. Take control of your players and be a Coach, quit drawing up plays for Mitchell when she was 0 for 8 on 3s the last game, that's just bad Coaching PERIOD

[@texasgoat2991]

Christie sides is gone after this year if not before end of season

[@sharonwhitley7326]

Sides doesn’t know how 5o utilize her bench. Why is Berger sitting every game. Her trade hasn’t worked out for her either! Time for a change, NOW!

[@janicetimmins8070]

she needs to stop putting Wheer in

[@dsnorcalfan]

Plus/Minus is such a flawed tool in basketball. Taylor was 0-3 FG/0-1 3PT/1-2 FT, she did not play well tonight

[@steveking7719]

Idea here... for charity. At the start of the NBA season each NBA team chooses one female from the WNBA to be on their team and all ticket sales from this game go to charity. I wanna see CC be on the Indiana Pacers as a point guard.... YEAH.... I really do.

[@michaelfrechette654]

It's tough to keep it positive when you realize everything Caitlin does is being destroyed and denegrated by haters who put a Dennis Rodman player on an equivalency to her skill level. Because, like Reese, they despise - through utter jealousy -that Clark epitomizes class and reason and takes the blows from the ESPN LIARS , who try to keep a jealous, skill-limited/poor shooting/mediocre passing/ rebounding specialist in the Rookie of the Year hunt. Because they can't stand Caitlin for her talent or her articulation. AND MAKE ASSES OF THEMSELVES (SWOOPES IS BEYOND A JOKE) in so doing. Power it through, Ms Clark!