Fever HC makes it clear what she needs out of Caitlin Clark

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides made it clear following the team's 89-77 loss to the Seattle Storm on Thursday night what she needs out of rookie guard Caitlin Clark.

The No. 1 overall pick went 4-for-9 (3-for-7 on three-pointers) to finish with 15 points on Thursday in 38 minutes. It was just the fourth time in 19 games this season that Clark has attempted fewer than 10 field goals.

The former Iowa star added seven assists and six rebounds, but had six turnovers as well.

Clark is averaging team highs in minutes (33.9), three-pointers made (2.8), three-pointers attempted (8.0), free throws made (3.6), free throws attempted (4.1), assists (6.6), steals (1.4) and turnovers (5.6) per game. Clark also ranks second in points per game (16.2), though she and 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston are the only two players on the team to start and play in all 19 contests so far.

Clark leads the WNBA in minutes played (645), three-point field goals (54), three-point field goals attempted (152) and turnovers (106), and is second in assists (126). Clark also leads all rookies in points and assists per game as well as field goals made and attempted per contest.

After starting 3-10, the Fever won four in a row between June 13-21 but have now dropped back-to-back contests. They have seven more games between June 30 and July 17 before a one-month break for the Summer Olympics in Paris.