Following Wednesday night’s 85-83 loss at the Seattle Storm, the Indiana Fever are winless through their first five games to begin the season. The Fever’s first two losses were by 20 or more points, but over the next three, they trimmed the deficit margins from 11-to-four-to-two. 

Right after Wednesday’s defeat, Indiana head coach Christie Sides said the Fever are the most inexperienced team in the WNBA. Therefore, she’s proud of her players for showing up each day and trying to figure out winning ways. On Thursday, Sides' squad practiced at USC’s Galen Center facility, in preparation for their Friday night game at the Los Angeles Sparks. 

Sides was asked about what she’d say to potential critics talking about the Fever’s 0-5 start, via Nick Hamilton of Nitecast Media.

“The hate and the vile language directed to these players,” Sides said. “These guys are showing up everyday trying to do their job, trying to learn each other, trying to get better. And for them to have to deal with that after coming everyday and giving their all in their job — it’s just not fair.” 

Fever fall short vs. Storm

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) brings the ball up court while being defended by Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) during the first half of an WNBA basketball game, Monday, May 20, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Doug McSchooler/for IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Turnovers have plagued the Fever in the past, and though they only had 11 Wednesday, most came in the fourth quarter. Other areas like offensive rebounding also suffered as the Fever let another game within reach slip. Caitlin Clark excelled in the third quarter and led with 21 points. But she and fellow starter Kelsey Mitchell shot 11-for-33 and 4-for-15 beyond the arc combined. 

Meanwhile, former All-Star Nneka Ogwumike scored 22 points in her return back from an ankle injury for Seattle. Ogwumike, at forward, scored more points than Indiana’s starting forwards combined. NaLyssa Smith had 16, whereas Aliyah Boston struggled with only four points and four fouls. Boston was last year’s top-overall pick. The competition between top drafted talent will continue Friday, as Clark and the Fever will play No. 2 pick Cameron Brink and the Sparks. 

“[Boston’s] leadership has been amazing,” Clark said. “We’re navigating this together.” 

“Caitlin uses the word grace a lot,” Sides said. “Like, give us some grace. Give these guys some grace. They deserve that. They don’t deserve what’s being said. We keep talking about it: turn out the noise… don’t pay any attention to it. It’s hard to do though, that’s the world we live in.” 

Clark and the Fever play Brink and the Sparks (1-2) Friday at 10 p.m. ET.