Christie Sides Singles Out Fever Player for Caitlin Clark Decision

Aside from recording their 20th win, the Indiana Fever had another clear-cut game plan during their game against the Dallas Wings on Sept. 15: Prevent Caitlin Clark from getting called for a technical foul.

The cantankerous rookie had already amassed six technical fouls, and getting whistled for her seventh would automatically suspend her for their season-ender against the Washington Mystics.

The Fever watched out for Clark by commission. In a report from IndyStar's Dana Hunsinger Benbow , coach Christie Sides admitted that they consciously ensured that the 22-year-old Clark wouldn't trigger the referees.

There were close calls with Clark expressing her frustrations with some non-whistles. But when the smoke cleared, she was marked safe. Mission accomplished for the Fever.

Sides noted that the Fever's effort to protect the young star was "good team chemistry stuff." She also singled out veteran Katie Lou Samuelson for taming Clark when she wanted an and-1 during one play.

"I saw Katie running, just standing right in front of her, I mean, (she) came all the way from the bench," Sides said. "That's just trying to make sure their teammate doesn't do anything that doesn't allow her to play in our last game against Washington.

"And that's prep. We've got to prep for where we're trying to go and what we're trying to do."

Aside from Samuelson, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell and Erica Wheeler also had moments of coming to Clark's aid.

The Rookie of the Year frontrunner finished with a career-high 35 points and added eight assists to lead the Fever, who escaped by the skin of their teeth against the Wings, 110-109.

Related: NBA All-Star Fires Strong View on Impending New WNBA Team