Christie Sides Explains Bold Choice of Aliyah Boston Over Caitlin Clark for Crucial Game-Tying Shot vs. Aces

Christie Sides, head coach of the Indiana Fever, recently clarified why Aliyah Boston, rather than Caitlin Clark, was entrusted with taking the game-tying three-pointer in the closing moments against the Las Vegas Aces, resulting in a 78-74 defeat. Despite Boston being open, she missed the shot, sparking debate among fans, especially since Clark, a WNBA rookie with a stellar performance throughout the season and a 33% success rate from three-point range, was available. Additionally, Kelsey Mitchell, a seasoned guard, was also overlooked.

Sides defended her decision during the post-game conference, explaining that teams are likely to focus their defense on Clark and Mitchell, making it challenging for them to secure a clean shot. She expressed her confidence in Boston, who, despite being in her second season and not known for her three-point shooting, has emerged as a top forward in the league.

While Indiana has secured its first playoff spot since 2016, the Phoenix Mercury is narrowing the gap for the sixth seed, with the Fever now holding a 19-19 record. The team faces upcoming critical matchups against the Dallas Wings and the Washington Mystics, with the next game scheduled for Sunday, September 15.