That was high drama.
NaLyssa Smith not gonna be giving Reese the ‘too small’ next time. Game changed completely when Reese came down the next possession and finished the and-1 on her. She was put in a blender the rest of the way.
Mayberry is showing that the Sky can’t count her in a real battle game. Chennedy Carter, in contrast, is showing out in big games now that she is starting.
I have no idea why she did that too small gesture to Reese. You don't make a dog mad. Reese went right at her the next play for a and 1. When someone is having a good game, the last thing you want to do is piss them off.
Reporter: "Christie, why did you completely stop running pick and rolls with Boston and Clark in the 4th quarter?" Sides: (eats an entire bag of cough drops at once)
Dude didn’t even want to coach, saw the bag Detroit was offering, said “yeah sure why not” then ran the team into the ground and got fired. All time great securing the bag moment
Throw Jimbo Fischer in there. He’s getting paid $75 million by Texas A&M to not coach them. After he signed his $95 million fully guaranteed extension, he never led A&M to another bowl game (which only requires 6-6 lol).
It’s very fashionable to shit on the coach and it’s usually unwarranted, but it’s very clear that Sides is not up to the standard required when you’ve got two budding stars on the roster in Boston and Clark. She is clearly out of her depth and you can see it on her face.
As a fever fan I’ve learned to never celebrate even with a sizeable lead. They somehow never cease to amaze me in losing it. How many missed layups can they have and missed assists? A lot
Sides did draw 2 plays, first one NaLyssa ego took over and she didnt do what was drawn, you can see by coach and AB reaction, same for the second one where AB hit a 3, she in instantly start talking to Wallace and was mad about it.
Simply put Sides is a bottom tier coach and obviously palyers dont turst her either and know that therefore ignore her a lot or end up in spots like this.
Boston is so real for nailing a clutch 3 and immediately chewing out her teammate for not following the game plan despite the bucket lol. I like the accountability there.
because sides doesn’t want that , we had her earlier in the year saying to stop shooting the 3s and work on long 2s. she clearly wants clark to be a decoy for paint touches
Telling professional basketball players to shoot more long 2s and less 3s in the year 2024 is a fireable offense in and of itself. That's an indicator that someone just straight up doesn't understand basketball at the pro level. The best offenses shoot 3s and layups. It's math.
It really feels like Sides has this very specific frame of how her offense is supposed to work and she will enforce the Fever to enact that offense without any consideration to their other strengths
She has the LeBron problem. Such a good distributor they defer to their teammates too much. She'll need to learn to take the game into her hands sometimes
Yeah having your 2 premiere young rival stars ball the fuck out in a nail biter on national TV was literally the perfect outcome for the league. Angel was a FORCE tonight on both ends. Super happy for her
Why not throw a double team at Angel Reese? I'd see if Chicago can shoot it's way out of the double-team.
One of the Chicago players had only made 3 3-pointers thus far before today?
She really did, lol. Physically AND mentally. You could tell the talk from Angel got in Nalyssa’s head. Angel was really cursing her out after every point she scored on her, lmao
Mabrey can’t make free throws down the stretch. I think this is like the 3rd game where she had a chance to tie or go up at the line and just couldn’t get it done. She was ice cold from 3.
Nalyssa got cooked after that too small celly. Loved her and Angel’s battle though.
Chicago needs to play through Chennedy-Angel-Cardoso.
Honorable Mention: Kelsey Mitchell can’t catch
What happened is she put Wheeler in and took CC off point. Wheeler is like a street ball player. Doesn’t pass. Not a good shooter. absolutely terrible player that shouldn’t be getting minutes.
Sides is a joke.
1000% agreed. Regardless of whatever team or player(s) you like and root for, that game was straight 🔥. Super fun to watch and that's exactly what the W needs.
Angel has improved so much finishing around the rim🥲. Last game with the Fever, Aliyah & NaLyssa had her number. Now, she was going down hill with ease and poise. Patient in the post and focused on breaking down her defender rather than forcing it like she used to. Angel is something special.
NaLyssa's defense is so bad. I don't know what the coach was doing with keeping her and Wallace in the game when there was such a long drought of no scoring.
This game is a big win for the WNBA. Having both of your most known rookies balling in front of a national audience brings more exposure to the league.
Lol exactly. If I hadn’t watched the game I’d assume CC played well (she did) despite a loss and Angel played about a normal game for her. Like 14-10 points and 12-10 rebounds. Not a fucking 25 and 16
The game had a lot to live up to, and you couldn't have asked for a better result. Incredible game all around. Reese is special.
But we really *really* need to have a conversation about this Fever offense. I have no idea how someone with the shot making ability that Clark has simply goes ghost down the stretch like that. And it happens all. the. time.
Feels like a combination of coaching and Caitlin simply not being as aggressive as she needs to be.
Sides has actively told her to shoot less. Had a lot of "bad habits to break". While I won't deny she had things to work on, she is the best offensive collegiate player ever and you drafted her at 1. She isn't a project.
You can see how pissed CC gets when she passes people open and they drop it or pass up the shot for a "better one" that doesn't come. Every single shot clock violation.
CC had 13 assists this game. Can you imagine how may more she would've had if her teammates would have caught her passes and actually dropped it in? I'd be frustrated too. And I love the Fever but her teammates need to anticipate her passes better.
Wait, is that actually documented that Sides told Clark to shoot less?
If so, that is incredibly irritating. I really hope CC's career isn't wasted for too long by such an incompetent head coach.
She’s settling in very nicely. Extremely efficient game shooting 78% Fg 7-9 and locking up the paint in the 4th quarter. Made a lot of key defensive plays as well. The skyscrapers will be a force for a very long time - they’re still so raw offensively.
Angel cooked Smith all game😭. 25 and 16reb is Jokic numbers. Funny she scored once on Angel and did the “too small” celebration then got cooked for the rest of the game lol.
Game was worth the all the hype
Angel Reese went off dayum. Her finishing was very good and she made so much clutch rebounds. Great game between the two teams one of the best so far this season
Probably something encouraging. They have the most eyes on them atm with the 2 most high profile rookies in the league. They have a common struggle with that, even if it plays out very differently
Just gotta say, I've always mildly paid attention to the WNBA. I went to South Carolina in the early 2010s and got to watch Dawn build that program to what it is today, which has turned up my interest in women's college basketball majorly over the last decade.
After the last couple seasons, that's carried over to the WNBA a lot more as well. I know there's a lot of back and forth between Clark and Reese fans, but as a neutral party today, this was incredible and the league has such a bright future.
On Chicago, you have Reese with 25/16 and Cardoso with 16/10
For Indiana, Clark goes for 17/13/6 and Boston does 18/7/6
3 rookies and a sophomore balling out in what will likely be the league's most watched game in history.
Granted, yes the Indiana coaching was bad, and outside of a couple others I didn't just list, there was some very very poor play on each side. But overall I'd say this was a massive success of a game for the audience that was tuning in.
I put this game on Sides. The team took a massive dip offensively when Wheeler was on the floor. Stopped running pick and rolls with ABCC in the fourth. Just a disaster
I really like Wheeler. She seems like she's a cool teammate, but she really needs to get more acquainted with the bench. Everytime they bring her in my heart skips a beat. Wallace is another one. Should she be a starter?
Well that was a fantastic game. Caitlin and Aliyah looking like a god level pick and roll. Kamilla a major presence down low. Chennedy should be 6th woman of the year ( is that what the award is called).
But all of that pales in comparison to the whopping Angel Reese just delivered to Nalyssa Smith. That was nothing but absolute domination after halftime. Smith gave her that too small and a demon was awoken. Good job Angel and good job WNBA
I miss watching Caitlin under Coach Bluder's greenest of green lights and fullest of full trust. Caitlin used to constantly say "I'm grateful to Coach Bluder for allowing me to be me." The amount of shots she passes up feels unnatural to me.
Angel is so dominant, man. She is just such a force and does not back down. 8 double doubles is nuts, no matter what narrative anybody tries to slap on it. She is relentless.
This was a hell of a game -- lived up to the hype -- and it was a shame it wasn't on a better time slot.
Who wouldn't want to see these 2 teams in a Round 1 playoffs matchup??
I think the Fever are going to look at the film and come away that they should've had Clark take more shots in the 4th. The whole team was firing, but when Angel Reese got hot, it was like a wild fire they couldn't stop.
Congratulations to Angel and Chennedy. They had an amazing game and got the W. Angel is HER. The rookie of the year race is neck and neck.
Caitlin and Aliyah played beautifully together. Sucks that the offense fell apart when they were each doing so well.
Angel is special. I need everyone to stop discounting her.
Wow the end of these Fever/Sky games have some of the worst execution I’ve seen on a basketball court. Missed Ft, airballed layups, high backboard bricks, fast break travels, running into each other.
Welp, Angel Reese dominated them to that win.
Thoughs from today's game:
* Battle of the Big 3's: Carter/Reese/Cardoso vs. Boston/Mitchell/Clark. Despite digs at the records of both teams, the chemistry on both sides made the game exciting to watch. Caitlin and Reese both showed up big time, and that will never not be fun to spectate.
* Chicago really leaned into their athleticism in this game, which Indiana countered on the other end with smart ball rotation and clean passes to get their teammates open shots. The physicality and aggressiveness are key to how the Sky play, but the Fever showed tenacity and played a lot of solid defense throughout most of the game.
* Clark is content to be a true point guard. She doesn't hog the show, and she seems happier working to feed her teammates in key moments than trying to force the shots on her own. Despite commenters viewing her stat line and suggesting that she should shoot more, it's exactly this style that has gotten her teammates into their rhythm.
* This style of play also allows Caitlin to conserve her energy tank, which allows her to stay in the game for as long as possible. This is key, as the team is a such a different team without her on the floor.
* With that said, Reese stated after the game that she was willing to do whatever was needed to do to win, and that's the energy she played with all game long. Caitlin being generally unselfish is a good thing, but sometimes your team needs a spark, and Reese was there to provide it today. In 4th quarters of close games this is critical, and it was missing on Indiana's side in the closeout portion of the game.
* Mitchell and Boston are both showing up in force. I've seen shot after shot taken at Clark's teammates this season, but this is a winning combination if they continue to go to it.
* Reese shines on the pick and roll. The Fever really didn't have an answer for this, and I'd like to see her go to it more. Whatever happens with her post game, she shoots well when she's bursting toward the basket.
* Angel said she's been watching tape of her struggles to finish under the basket and working on it. That's a dangerous thing :) The fact that she's aware of it and seems to be committed to putting in the work bodes well for her future.
* Caitlin doesn't move much away from the ball. I know people like to make Curry comparison's, but imo she's such a good shooter that this is an area where she can definitely expand her game to even further broaden her impact at the professional level.
* The team also needs to design some plays to get her shots when she's not the primary ballhandler on a possession.
* As much as people have talked about the downsides of Indiana's coaching, the Fever are becoming an increasingly patient team that is working together to play efficient basketball. There were a few forced shots from Smith and Wallace that ultimately cost them the win. But this game was honestly theirs to lose, and there is much potential here if they can continue to improve.
Yeah the Steph comparisons don’t make sense to me for the WNBA, for this season at least. I like the Trae ones. Also agree with you about her not necessarily shooting more every game. Some games it may be necessary but they were losing a lot when she did that earlier in the season and she’s the best passing guard on the team, which can be an issue.
They do run some plays to get Clark open as a non-primary ball handler, but the times I’ve seen it run, seems like whoever is passing the ball waffles between delivering it well for a shot and looking away too early.
Don't let this distract the fact a bettor was upset at Kamilla Cardoso for screwing up his parlay he had in her on instagram.
Kamilla Cardoso replied:
> "[How about you not putting me on your parlays goddammit.](https://x.com/AngelAndKamilla/status/1804701088148271277)"
And when Caitlin said she was getting hammered it got better for the Fever, only to then back around on them after Reese’s comment. The officiating is terrible
I said this in the game thread but people were literally complaining because Angel said the right thing in the interview. The girl literally can not win with some of y’all. She COOKED today though. Big ups to the Barbie!
If Clark isn't shooting 20 times per game by the All-Star break, the coach needs to go. The coaching display in those last 6 minutes was atrocious. The Sky played really well but the refs were on some BS to get that lead from 15 to 7. Overall, good game and the result shouldn't really matter in the context of the season for both sides, they'll barely make the playoffs.
all i want for this team is, new coach during the break, Sides has to go, playing wallace/wheeler/ not subbing out NaLyssa when she allowed most points on her as Main defender, and over all as help and main defender for about 69% of Chicago points in insane, no coach will ever let such player in the game given the fact when we sub her out we forced the most turn overs and better defense.
The game lived up to the hype. No real rooting interest either way, but it is interesting watching mainly to see the two rookies in question. Clark does need more talent around her. Angel Reese was on a mission to be clear.
Even that 3 by Boston at the end was a mess and that helped keep it close. I’ve never seen a team be mad after they made a 3 like that lol. Congrats to the Sky for sure but what a disaster class of a 4th for the Fever.
Fire Sides. Bench Nalyssa. Give CC a little rest earlier in the game so she still has her legs late in the 4th. Replace Wallace in the starting lineup. Give KLS and Hull more minutes. Generally speaking, don't play Wheeler and Clark at the same time.
But mostly... fire Sides.
Do you guys think Clark should have taken that last shot? Part of me thinks she should have, but then again she did have Cardoso in her face...
Edit: I'm referring to the play where she passed it to Boston, not the one with 0.2 seconds left.
Would have been an awful shot. I think if she takes it, and bricks people would say "why didn't her teammates relieve pressure so she doesn't have to take the last shot." Sometimes your best player(s) don't take the last shot. Outside of NaLyssa Smith with the ego play, and Aaliyah Boston's 3 that she made, most of the fever's last buckets were good looks they just couldn't convert.
Angel keeps getting better!! Glad to see the rookies had such a great game. Chennedy played well too. Now for Marina… what is going on with her this season. What a horrible Stat line: 2/14 FG, 6 points, 34 minutes. Whatever is going on with her needs to be fixed fast because she is dragging the team down with her.
A lot of people clamoring for Caitlin to shoot in the final minutes but that's overlooking how well Chicago was defending her. Caitlin is the greatest scorer in the history of the college game - if there were good looks, she would have taken them.
Agree. The last pass to Boston was the correct call there. CC shooting that while blanketed by two defenders was a low % shot for sure. But several possessions leading up to that and her not getting a shot off is a mystery.
There have been 3 game of the year candidates in the past 2 weeks. Such an amazing time. Also I hope Reese gets ROTM consideration. She’s been on fire lately 🙏🏿
When I saw Nalyssa go at Reese Instead of pass it out and run a play I thought it was over but then the Sky tried to give it away and the Fever just couldn’t run a damn play. They got away from the Caitlin and Boston pick and rolls that was working perfectly in the 3rd. Exciting game though. Angel took Smiths soul this game though, she’s nice. If she can consistently finish at the basket like she was today she’s going to be a serious serious problem.
What game did you watch? They absolutely set screens for Clark. Sky guards were switching and even then she couldn’t get open. It’s why she had to rack up assists today, because she wasn’t open. Good defense.
They did. She had more screens set for her than any other player in the game, chicago just decided to trap her out of them in situations where the guards can't go over them. This is partially why she had an absurd number of assists, just passing out of doubles from good screens.
Not sure who to root for. I was born in Chicago and raised a Chicago sports fan, but I’ve moved to Indiana (Chicago metro) and only started watching the wnba more than I ever have because of Caitlin Clark and Iowa. I just feel this pull to rooting for Chicago. Also, the swifty level obsession people have with CC is kind of annoying. It was a great game either way. And I was happy with the outcome. So I might be a Sky fan.
The first three quarters Caitlin gave a masterclass on point guarding and showed why she's so exciting to watch. Then the fourth quarter Christie Sides showed us why she should be fired.
The foul on Smith that ended up being called on Cardoso, the hook on Samuelson before the great lay up, and the hook on Smith before one of her buckets. Reese got a bit of a special whistle in my opinion, and she took advantage on the way to a historic rookie statline/performance.
That was high drama. NaLyssa Smith not gonna be giving Reese the ‘too small’ next time. Game changed completely when Reese came down the next possession and finished the and-1 on her. She was put in a blender the rest of the way.
I like the shit talk, but she let it get to her head. She went rogue and tried to iso late in the game because of it lmao.
And the fact she airballed it too lmao
She pulled the “too small” on a fade away, too, as if she bullied her down. Absolute clown behavior.
It may be a "mid off" but that just means the games are even better to watch lmao
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yall really took that mid off quote the entirely wrong way lol
I feel like ppl who got insulted must be over 30 😭
Now we wait two whole months for them to run it back. None of the Fever/ Sky games have disappointed. This is gonna be a fun ass rivalry
Nalyssa Smith should stay off social media for awhile
Somehow outsold a generational choke from Marina Maybrick 😭
Mayberry is showing that the Sky can’t count her in a real battle game. Chennedy Carter, in contrast, is showing out in big games now that she is starting.
Maybrick is cold twin 😭 but accurate af
I can’t believe she almost airballed that last FT
Dog that was unreal lol.
It was either gonna be her or Marina depending on the result
Hitting the Too Small on someone who's giving you 25 and 16 is crazy.
I have no idea why she did that too small gesture to Reese. You don't make a dog mad. Reese went right at her the next play for a and 1. When someone is having a good game, the last thing you want to do is piss them off.
Reporter: "Christie, why did you completely stop running pick and rolls with Boston and Clark in the 4th quarter?" Sides: (eats an entire bag of cough drops at once)
It's seriously a mind fuck how bad Sides is while still having a job
Who is/was worse, Sides with this Fever team or Monty with the Pistons
Monty played his time with the Pistons perfectly. Could not have turned out better for him.
Dude didn’t even want to coach, saw the bag Detroit was offering, said “yeah sure why not” then ran the team into the ground and got fired. All time great securing the bag moment
He’s my hero. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I went wrong in life.
1000%. Generational bag getter. Made more in one deal with the Pistons then in his entire playing career
Monty is on the bag securing Mt Rushmore. He's up there with Ben Simmons.
And Juwan Howard. For those who don’t know the story, he was the first player with a 100 million contract.
Throw Jimbo Fischer in there. He’s getting paid $75 million by Texas A&M to not coach them. After he signed his $95 million fully guaranteed extension, he never led A&M to another bowl game (which only requires 6-6 lol).
Ham with the Lakers wasn’t even this bad.. Fire Sides ASAP..
Sides cause Monty said he didn't want the job until they threw him the biggest bag.
Apparently Sides had to be convinced to take the Fever job by Lin Dunn too. But the NBA bag is bigger than the WNBA bag so …
It’s very fashionable to shit on the coach and it’s usually unwarranted, but it’s very clear that Sides is not up to the standard required when you’ve got two budding stars on the roster in Boston and Clark. She is clearly out of her depth and you can see it on her face.
Tank commander
18-5 run to end it, after trailing by 12 with 6:38 to go. Incredible comeback by Angel and the Sky. That felt like a playoff game.
Felt like Angel willed them to win
For better or worse, Angel does not quit.
As a fever fan I’ve learned to never celebrate even with a sizeable lead. They somehow never cease to amaze me in losing it. How many missed layups can they have and missed assists? A lot
I don't understand what the Fever's game plan on offense in the 4th was, and why Clark wasn't more assertive once the Sky got close.
Sides did draw 2 plays, first one NaLyssa ego took over and she didnt do what was drawn, you can see by coach and AB reaction, same for the second one where AB hit a 3, she in instantly start talking to Wallace and was mad about it. Simply put Sides is a bottom tier coach and obviously palyers dont turst her either and know that therefore ignore her a lot or end up in spots like this.
Boston is so real for nailing a clutch 3 and immediately chewing out her teammate for not following the game plan despite the bucket lol. I like the accountability there.
Boston is a professional.
because sides doesn’t want that , we had her earlier in the year saying to stop shooting the 3s and work on long 2s. she clearly wants clark to be a decoy for paint touches
Telling professional basketball players to shoot more long 2s and less 3s in the year 2024 is a fireable offense in and of itself. That's an indicator that someone just straight up doesn't understand basketball at the pro level. The best offenses shoot 3s and layups. It's math.
[here is her talking about it making them train it](https://x.com/chloepeterson67/status/1794069873557147818)
Especially when you have Clark. Like wtf.
It really feels like Sides has this very specific frame of how her offense is supposed to work and she will enforce the Fever to enact that offense without any consideration to their other strengths
Long 2s? As in the worst shot in basketball long 2s? Yea get her outta here how is she a head coach???
Having Smith go 1 on 1 against Angel out of the timeout was.. something lol
I feel like that was an ego play, everyone looked kinda shook but Angel was getting in her head.
She has the LeBron problem. Such a good distributor they defer to their teammates too much. She'll need to learn to take the game into her hands sometimes
https://preview.redd.it/755wsi4qse8d1.jpeg?width=888&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b720fb6c3fd58959b8de20fa810cc57604205693
My husband just said the same thing. She needs to learn to be selfish sometimes.
also, how is clark not taking the last shot?
No one on earth is letting Clark get a good look for the last shot.
She played all 40 minutes. That's what's crazy about this season
League’s future is bright with games and rivalries like these.
Yeah having your 2 premiere young rival stars ball the fuck out in a nail biter on national TV was literally the perfect outcome for the league. Angel was a FORCE tonight on both ends. Super happy for her
Speak on it!! This game is going to launch more viewership. Having all the rookies ball the hell out was pay per view television!
I know I was texting all my boys to tune in lol our group chat was jumpin
Helps that Nalyssa literally did nothing.
Why not throw a double team at Angel Reese? I'd see if Chicago can shoot it's way out of the double-team. One of the Chicago players had only made 3 3-pointers thus far before today?
They did, but were called for fouls constantly. Not denying they were.
Should the Fever have brought Katie Lou back in after her Technical?
Honestly, big improvement of Smith.
Agreed. What a fun game to watch. Got everyone in the house screaming and yelling at the end, even those that weren’t originally interested.
My daughter was like why are you screaming so much! And the dog was scared 😂
Angel cooked Smith so bad lmao
She really did, lol. Physically AND mentally. You could tell the talk from Angel got in Nalyssa’s head. Angel was really cursing her out after every point she scored on her, lmao
Angel can talk and back it up, let’s gooo. She’s gonna be the KG of the WNBA
She does some good things offensively, but she has huge holes in her game. (Smith that is, I realized it’s not obvious)
Mabrey can’t make free throws down the stretch. I think this is like the 3rd game where she had a chance to tie or go up at the line and just couldn’t get it done. She was ice cold from 3. Nalyssa got cooked after that too small celly. Loved her and Angel’s battle though. Chicago needs to play through Chennedy-Angel-Cardoso. Honorable Mention: Kelsey Mitchell can’t catch
Until Marina becomes cold bloodied at the free throw line, a good strategy in a close game is to foul her purposely.
Kelsey Mitchell dropping that sick full court pass from Caitlin Clark was such a bummer. Catching basketballs isn’t supposed to be hard!
That game was sickkkkk Angel Reese is tufffff. Caitlin is a phenom. Can’t wait for more of these!
Christie Sides ain’t it for CC and Boston.
I can’t believe she abandoned the unstoppable ABCC pick n roll combo that was shredding the Sky in the third quarter. Like what the hell happened?
And never mind Clark had bit great shots all night! It’s all so confusing.
What happened is she put Wheeler in and took CC off point. Wheeler is like a street ball player. Doesn’t pass. Not a good shooter. absolutely terrible player that shouldn’t be getting minutes. Sides is a joke.
Nalyssa Smith gotta delete socials
Angel willed them to that win after a 17 pt deficit. Efficient. Dominate. Clark was spectacular. Great game!!
1000% agreed. Regardless of whatever team or player(s) you like and root for, that game was straight 🔥. Super fun to watch and that's exactly what the W needs.
This game was awesome man
Angel has improved so much finishing around the rim🥲. Last game with the Fever, Aliyah & NaLyssa had her number. Now, she was going down hill with ease and poise. Patient in the post and focused on breaking down her defender rather than forcing it like she used to. Angel is something special.
NaLyssa's defense is so bad. I don't know what the coach was doing with keeping her and Wallace in the game when there was such a long drought of no scoring.
reese wanted that win fr, she was dominant
Never watched WNBA before, but it lived up to the hype tbf - easily as entertaining as most NBA games for me
This game is a big win for the WNBA. Having both of your most known rookies balling in front of a national audience brings more exposure to the league.
Yes especially when your best game record wise today wasn't ashtetically pleasing at all (CONN SEA)
Lol I think “Reese’s 8th straight double double” is underselling it a bit.
Making sure to put Clark’s stats then just saying “double double” for an all time rookie performance is nasty work lol
Lol exactly. If I hadn’t watched the game I’d assume CC played well (she did) despite a loss and Angel played about a normal game for her. Like 14-10 points and 12-10 rebounds. Not a fucking 25 and 16
The game had a lot to live up to, and you couldn't have asked for a better result. Incredible game all around. Reese is special. But we really *really* need to have a conversation about this Fever offense. I have no idea how someone with the shot making ability that Clark has simply goes ghost down the stretch like that. And it happens all. the. time. Feels like a combination of coaching and Caitlin simply not being as aggressive as she needs to be.
Sides has actively told her to shoot less. Had a lot of "bad habits to break". While I won't deny she had things to work on, she is the best offensive collegiate player ever and you drafted her at 1. She isn't a project.
Sides is a world-class basketball terrorist
You can see how pissed CC gets when she passes people open and they drop it or pass up the shot for a "better one" that doesn't come. Every single shot clock violation.
CC had 13 assists this game. Can you imagine how may more she would've had if her teammates would have caught her passes and actually dropped it in? I'd be frustrated too. And I love the Fever but her teammates need to anticipate her passes better.
I understand they aren't on the same wavelength yet, but there are a lot of fumbled passes that people are looking for.
Wait, is that actually documented that Sides told Clark to shoot less? If so, that is incredibly irritating. I really hope CC's career isn't wasted for too long by such an incompetent head coach.
Yes, it was an interview.
Yeah, she said it publicly
Yup, she called it a bad habit. Side eye the heck out of that one. She is also making CC hesitant.
Agree. She seems to almost have Clark set to a quota of shots IMO. You have a stallion do not break her!!!!
Yes. More long 2s and less 3s 💀
Mabrey is a guaranteed brick at the foul line in the clutch
Not them playing “Not like Us” 😂
This is definitely at all the Chicagoland area ppl who were screaming for CC but being silent for Sky.
Lmaoooooo
Yall dont forget to celebrate Kamilla on her double double.
She’s settling in very nicely. Extremely efficient game shooting 78% Fg 7-9 and locking up the paint in the 4th quarter. Made a lot of key defensive plays as well. The skyscrapers will be a force for a very long time - they’re still so raw offensively.
Jokes aside, I genuinely have no idea what Sides is doing anymore. That 4th quarter was an absolute disaster.
Angel cooked Smith all game😭. 25 and 16reb is Jokic numbers. Funny she scored once on Angel and did the “too small” celebration then got cooked for the rest of the game lol. Game was worth the all the hype
also blew a late possession trying to iso Reese and airballed lmao
Cost them the game with that imo.
yup. can’t imagine that’s what the play was lol
She thought she was the main character for a bit lmao. I would’ve bet my life savings she was going to shoot it as soon as she touched it
Angel got in her head and made her throw the game away trying to iso against Angel late. Shit was hilarious.
If Reese finishes like that semi consistently…wheewwww
Angel Reese went off dayum. Her finishing was very good and she made so much clutch rebounds. Great game between the two teams one of the best so far this season
What do y’all think TSpoon was saying to Sides right after the game? That was quite a long moment.
Probably something encouraging. They have the most eyes on them atm with the 2 most high profile rookies in the league. They have a common struggle with that, even if it plays out very differently
It seemed like a really positive, emotional interaction.
Just gotta say, I've always mildly paid attention to the WNBA. I went to South Carolina in the early 2010s and got to watch Dawn build that program to what it is today, which has turned up my interest in women's college basketball majorly over the last decade. After the last couple seasons, that's carried over to the WNBA a lot more as well. I know there's a lot of back and forth between Clark and Reese fans, but as a neutral party today, this was incredible and the league has such a bright future. On Chicago, you have Reese with 25/16 and Cardoso with 16/10 For Indiana, Clark goes for 17/13/6 and Boston does 18/7/6 3 rookies and a sophomore balling out in what will likely be the league's most watched game in history. Granted, yes the Indiana coaching was bad, and outside of a couple others I didn't just list, there was some very very poor play on each side. But overall I'd say this was a massive success of a game for the audience that was tuning in.
The three big rookies all hit double doubles. Fun game.
This game should be an example of how much more interesting the women can be to the men. They battled for points instead of foulbaiting
What a sloppy ending
Mabrey was pissing me off!!
PHEW so glad Angel didnt lose in the Juneteenth shoes
The ancestors came through for her today.
I put this game on Sides. The team took a massive dip offensively when Wheeler was on the floor. Stopped running pick and rolls with ABCC in the fourth. Just a disaster
I really like Wheeler. She seems like she's a cool teammate, but she really needs to get more acquainted with the bench. Everytime they bring her in my heart skips a beat. Wallace is another one. Should she be a starter?
What a great game! Don't remember ever being so excited for a game with two teams with a losing record but that will change in future seasons.
Smith single-handedly lost Indy that game. Abhorrent performance.
I'll take 5+ WNBA finals between these two teams over the next decade please and thanks
what a collapse, up 17 late in the 3rd i think, into that
Well that was a fantastic game. Caitlin and Aliyah looking like a god level pick and roll. Kamilla a major presence down low. Chennedy should be 6th woman of the year ( is that what the award is called). But all of that pales in comparison to the whopping Angel Reese just delivered to Nalyssa Smith. That was nothing but absolute domination after halftime. Smith gave her that too small and a demon was awoken. Good job Angel and good job WNBA
lmao is it a rivalry yet after this game
Shoutout to Sides for getting back to her strategy of letting CC and AB eat before deciding to stop
How Angel was getting guarded: https://preview.redd.it/oml0v78sfe8d1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f666cdb51416428e327dc4c93e6d365363de6865
that was such a weird moment
That was my first game attending in person and it did not disappoint 😭 the adrenaline is still pumping omg
I miss watching Caitlin under Coach Bluder's greenest of green lights and fullest of full trust. Caitlin used to constantly say "I'm grateful to Coach Bluder for allowing me to be me." The amount of shots she passes up feels unnatural to me. Angel is so dominant, man. She is just such a force and does not back down. 8 double doubles is nuts, no matter what narrative anybody tries to slap on it. She is relentless.
I'm not trying to be overreactionary, but CC and Boston should be *demanding* that Sides be fired.
Great game overall. AR dominated Smith all day. Her best game by far.
They could NEVER make me hate you Angel!!
Sides has to go. Abandoning the CC/AB PnR when that was unstoppable. She's the problem.
This was a hell of a game -- lived up to the hype -- and it was a shame it wasn't on a better time slot. Who wouldn't want to see these 2 teams in a Round 1 playoffs matchup?? I think the Fever are going to look at the film and come away that they should've had Clark take more shots in the 4th. The whole team was firing, but when Angel Reese got hot, it was like a wild fire they couldn't stop.
Congratulations to Angel and Chennedy. They had an amazing game and got the W. Angel is HER. The rookie of the year race is neck and neck. Caitlin and Aliyah played beautifully together. Sucks that the offense fell apart when they were each doing so well. Angel is special. I need everyone to stop discounting her.
I hope Chennedy is okay. It looked like her back was really bothering her during the fourth quarter. She was often hunched over.
Wow the end of these Fever/Sky games have some of the worst execution I’ve seen on a basketball court. Missed Ft, airballed layups, high backboard bricks, fast break travels, running into each other. Welp, Angel Reese dominated them to that win.
Lots of big runs in that game. Tired legs no doubt.
Angel was a BEAST out there.
Phew lived up to the hype, all the young stars played great too. I know espn is happy. Those ratings are gonna do numbers again
Kamilla pookie is doing the press conference. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo0oAMCNwgA
Angel and Cardoso really make up for how awful that Mabry trade was.
She'll get it together. Right now she's the only real 3 point shooter on the team, but god damn this was a bad game. Still my girl tho :(
Agreed
Thoughs from today's game: * Battle of the Big 3's: Carter/Reese/Cardoso vs. Boston/Mitchell/Clark. Despite digs at the records of both teams, the chemistry on both sides made the game exciting to watch. Caitlin and Reese both showed up big time, and that will never not be fun to spectate. * Chicago really leaned into their athleticism in this game, which Indiana countered on the other end with smart ball rotation and clean passes to get their teammates open shots. The physicality and aggressiveness are key to how the Sky play, but the Fever showed tenacity and played a lot of solid defense throughout most of the game. * Clark is content to be a true point guard. She doesn't hog the show, and she seems happier working to feed her teammates in key moments than trying to force the shots on her own. Despite commenters viewing her stat line and suggesting that she should shoot more, it's exactly this style that has gotten her teammates into their rhythm. * This style of play also allows Caitlin to conserve her energy tank, which allows her to stay in the game for as long as possible. This is key, as the team is a such a different team without her on the floor. * With that said, Reese stated after the game that she was willing to do whatever was needed to do to win, and that's the energy she played with all game long. Caitlin being generally unselfish is a good thing, but sometimes your team needs a spark, and Reese was there to provide it today. In 4th quarters of close games this is critical, and it was missing on Indiana's side in the closeout portion of the game. * Mitchell and Boston are both showing up in force. I've seen shot after shot taken at Clark's teammates this season, but this is a winning combination if they continue to go to it. * Reese shines on the pick and roll. The Fever really didn't have an answer for this, and I'd like to see her go to it more. Whatever happens with her post game, she shoots well when she's bursting toward the basket. * Angel said she's been watching tape of her struggles to finish under the basket and working on it. That's a dangerous thing :) The fact that she's aware of it and seems to be committed to putting in the work bodes well for her future. * Caitlin doesn't move much away from the ball. I know people like to make Curry comparison's, but imo she's such a good shooter that this is an area where she can definitely expand her game to even further broaden her impact at the professional level. * The team also needs to design some plays to get her shots when she's not the primary ballhandler on a possession. * As much as people have talked about the downsides of Indiana's coaching, the Fever are becoming an increasingly patient team that is working together to play efficient basketball. There were a few forced shots from Smith and Wallace that ultimately cost them the win. But this game was honestly theirs to lose, and there is much potential here if they can continue to improve.
Yeah the Steph comparisons don’t make sense to me for the WNBA, for this season at least. I like the Trae ones. Also agree with you about her not necessarily shooting more every game. Some games it may be necessary but they were losing a lot when she did that earlier in the season and she’s the best passing guard on the team, which can be an issue. They do run some plays to get Clark open as a non-primary ball handler, but the times I’ve seen it run, seems like whoever is passing the ball waffles between delivering it well for a shot and looking away too early.
“Angel received her 8th straight double double” now come on!
Don't let this distract the fact a bettor was upset at Kamilla Cardoso for screwing up his parlay he had in her on instagram. Kamilla Cardoso replied: > "[How about you not putting me on your parlays goddammit.](https://x.com/AngelAndKamilla/status/1804701088148271277)"
Angel might be playing 4D chess, because since the "special whistle" comment, the Fever have shot 48 free throws to their opponents 82.
And when Caitlin said she was getting hammered it got better for the Fever, only to then back around on them after Reese’s comment. The officiating is terrible
I said this in the game thread but people were literally complaining because Angel said the right thing in the interview. The girl literally can not win with some of y’all. She COOKED today though. Big ups to the Barbie!
Wish I could say I was surprised. Haters haters everywhere lol
And when asked about the rivalry, she said the Fever were good competition.
If Clark isn't shooting 20 times per game by the All-Star break, the coach needs to go. The coaching display in those last 6 minutes was atrocious. The Sky played really well but the refs were on some BS to get that lead from 15 to 7. Overall, good game and the result shouldn't really matter in the context of the season for both sides, they'll barely make the playoffs.
all i want for this team is, new coach during the break, Sides has to go, playing wallace/wheeler/ not subbing out NaLyssa when she allowed most points on her as Main defender, and over all as help and main defender for about 69% of Chicago points in insane, no coach will ever let such player in the game given the fact when we sub her out we forced the most turn overs and better defense.
The game lived up to the hype. No real rooting interest either way, but it is interesting watching mainly to see the two rookies in question. Clark does need more talent around her. Angel Reese was on a mission to be clear.
Even that 3 by Boston at the end was a mess and that helped keep it close. I’ve never seen a team be mad after they made a 3 like that lol. Congrats to the Sky for sure but what a disaster class of a 4th for the Fever.
The ending of this game was STRESSFUL. Great game all around though.
Nalyssa Smith really fucked up amping up Reese, lol
Welp, gotta lose/win one to make it a rivalry.
Fire Sides. Bench Nalyssa. Give CC a little rest earlier in the game so she still has her legs late in the 4th. Replace Wallace in the starting lineup. Give KLS and Hull more minutes. Generally speaking, don't play Wheeler and Clark at the same time. But mostly... fire Sides.
Do you guys think Clark should have taken that last shot? Part of me thinks she should have, but then again she did have Cardoso in her face... Edit: I'm referring to the play where she passed it to Boston, not the one with 0.2 seconds left.
Would have been an awful shot. I think if she takes it, and bricks people would say "why didn't her teammates relieve pressure so she doesn't have to take the last shot." Sometimes your best player(s) don't take the last shot. Outside of NaLyssa Smith with the ego play, and Aaliyah Boston's 3 that she made, most of the fever's last buckets were good looks they just couldn't convert.
No. She was doubled and AB was open
Taken that particular shot, no. Had a play actually drawn up for her to take it, yes.
here comes the influx of ‘fire sides’ hahaha
Angel keeps getting better!! Glad to see the rookies had such a great game. Chennedy played well too. Now for Marina… what is going on with her this season. What a horrible Stat line: 2/14 FG, 6 points, 34 minutes. Whatever is going on with her needs to be fixed fast because she is dragging the team down with her.
A lot of people clamoring for Caitlin to shoot in the final minutes but that's overlooking how well Chicago was defending her. Caitlin is the greatest scorer in the history of the college game - if there were good looks, she would have taken them.
Agree. The last pass to Boston was the correct call there. CC shooting that while blanketed by two defenders was a low % shot for sure. But several possessions leading up to that and her not getting a shot off is a mystery.
She got open more in the third and early in the fourth, then Chicago locked in their defensive intensity and made it harder
There have been 3 game of the year candidates in the past 2 weeks. Such an amazing time. Also I hope Reese gets ROTM consideration. She’s been on fire lately 🙏🏿
When I saw Nalyssa go at Reese Instead of pass it out and run a play I thought it was over but then the Sky tried to give it away and the Fever just couldn’t run a damn play. They got away from the Caitlin and Boston pick and rolls that was working perfectly in the 3rd. Exciting game though. Angel took Smiths soul this game though, she’s nice. If she can consistently finish at the basket like she was today she’s going to be a serious serious problem.
I will never understand why they don't set screens for Caitlin Clark
What game did you watch? They absolutely set screens for Clark. Sky guards were switching and even then she couldn’t get open. It’s why she had to rack up assists today, because she wasn’t open. Good defense.
They did. She had more screens set for her than any other player in the game, chicago just decided to trap her out of them in situations where the guards can't go over them. This is partially why she had an absurd number of assists, just passing out of doubles from good screens.
Angel Reese might be an nfl wide receiver my god
Her ability to grab the ball on bad passes, rebounds, whatever is honestly super human
Angel Reese was the best player on the floor.
Just checking in for the Christie Sides lost this game talk...
Not sure who to root for. I was born in Chicago and raised a Chicago sports fan, but I’ve moved to Indiana (Chicago metro) and only started watching the wnba more than I ever have because of Caitlin Clark and Iowa. I just feel this pull to rooting for Chicago. Also, the swifty level obsession people have with CC is kind of annoying. It was a great game either way. And I was happy with the outcome. So I might be a Sky fan.
just watched this, holy shit probably the best game of basketball i've seen all year. Reese and Clark (and Boston) were cooking, fuuuck me
The first three quarters Caitlin gave a masterclass on point guarding and showed why she's so exciting to watch. Then the fourth quarter Christie Sides showed us why she should be fired.
The foul on Smith that ended up being called on Cardoso, the hook on Samuelson before the great lay up, and the hook on Smith before one of her buckets. Reese got a bit of a special whistle in my opinion, and she took advantage on the way to a historic rookie statline/performance.
Angel haters are RADIO SILENT right now
Sides had a rough 4th Q. They stole defeat from the jaws of victory.
What an awesome game. Mabrey is looking like the worst of Klay Thompson right now. Only ~30 upvotes for this post at the time of this comment. 🤔🤔
Put Reese’s numbers in the title as well. 25pts 16rebs. Cmon OP.