The Indiana Fever have come a long way from their 2-9 start to the WNBA season. No longer playing 11 games in 20 days will do that for any team, as Fever head coach Christie Sides and host Howard Megdal discuss on Monday’s Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. But there’s so much more to Indiana’s turnaround than the 9-6 record over its last 15 games. Rookie Caitlin Clark is learning the league, forward Aliyah Boston and guard Kelsey Mitchell are finding another level, and there are areas of growth still to come. Listen to why the Indiana Fever, already in playoff position, have another level to reach.
The recent Olympic break in the season came at an opportune moment for the Fever, providing them with much-needed recovery and regrouping time. With a young roster navigating high expectations in challenging environments, resilience was crucial.
“The word resilient just comes to my mind,” reflects Sides, highlighting the team’s perseverance despite early struggles and packed arenas. The time off allowed the team to grow together, culminating in an improved performance in June after a rough start.
The coach notes, “It’s a team that was 5-31 two years ago,” emphasizing the ongoing process of rebuilding and integrating new talent such as Clark and Boston.
The Fever’s focus has been on enhancing defense, reducing turnovers and capitalizing on offensive opportunities. The development of Caitlin Clark, in particular, is a key factor, with her playmaking abilities and court vision showing promise. Sides anticipates that continued practice and adjustments will lead to further improvements in both offensive execution and defensive stability.
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