INDIANAPOLIS — Everyone inside the sold-out Gainbridge Fieldhouse … and watching on television … and listening on the radio … and following on social media knew who the Indiana Fever wanted to get that critical shot. Trailing Las Vegas, 75-72, with 30 seconds left in regulation and inbound upcoming from the sideline opposite their bench, the Fever, obviously, wanted a look for either Caitlin Clark or Kelsey Mitchell .
But as they broke the huddle, Aliyah Boston went to coach Christie Sides and asked if she should spread out to the corner.
"Be ready," Sides replied, "because they're going to take that shooter away."
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The confidence she expressed in the 2023 No. 1 overall pick both in the moment and following the 78-74 loss was, and is, critical. Though not known for her 3-point shooting prowess — Boston carried a 30% conversion rate from 3 entering Friday (32% for her career) — Sides recognizes the work her second-year star has put in to improving that area of her game and wants her to have the confidence to take those shots.
No. 7 may not be the first, second or even fourth option when the team needs a 3-pointer, but she needs to be ready if and when those moments come.
Case in point, the ball found its way to Boston on Friday and she was ready to take the shot.
A play designed for Clark and Mitchell, Sides said the Aces had a pin and hammer action against Clark on the weak side. So after inbounding to Boston and retaking possession, Lexie Hull passed it off to Mitchell on the far wing.
Mitchell, as expected, was immediately smothered by Alysha Clark. With her look at a potential game-tying 3 denied, Mitchell dribbled around her defender and toward the basket, where A'Ja Wilson was waiting for her in the lane. Rather than force a shot or attempt to draw a foul, Mitchell passed out to the corner, where Boston had cycled down and was left wide open.
"They're going to take away something, so you just have to be ready," Sides said. "And 'AB' was. It was a great shot. It rimmed in and out. That was a great shot."
It was a great look and the 6-5 forward took a quality shot. But the ball bounced in and out, falling to an Aces player underneath the basket. The Fever need to get the ball to their stars in those situations, but they can live with the look Boston had in the final minute.
"This girl has gone and worked really hard on that part of her game," Sides said. "I have a lot of confidence in her to take that shot."
"Teams are going to scheme against Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. They're going to do everything they can to make somebody else take that 3, so it's just on us," she continued. "We have to find a way to get the ball in their hands and let them take it, but I was so OK with that wide-open 3 by Aliyah Boston right there.”
Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen .
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Teams want to take away Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell. Aliyah Boston will 'have to be ready.'
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