WNBA snubs Fever! Caitlin Clark shines, but Coach Christie Sides gets cold shoulder in Coach of the Year voting

Cheryl Reeve took home the Coach of the Year award by an overwhelming majority.

Caitlin Clark will have to wait until next year to congratulate Christie Sides as Coach of the Year.

The Indiana Fever may have turned heads by pushing into the playoffs this season, but when it came time for the WNBA awards, the league delivered a brutal snub.

Rookie sensation Caitlin Clarkwas crowned Rookie of the Year unanimously, but head coach Christie Sides was left out in the cold, receiving just a single vote for Coach of the Year. For a team that fought hard to stay relevant, it was a tough pill to swallow.

While Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve dominated the conversation, earning her record-breaking fourth Coach of the Year award with 62 out of 67 votes, Sides was barely a blip on the radar.

Reeve’s success, bolstered by smart roster decisions and consistent performances, was expected, but Sides’ lack of recognition has sparked controversy. Fever fans are left questioning why Sides, who led the team to a stunning turnaround midseason, was all but ignored.

Sides recovered from a rocky start

August was a breakthrough month for the Fever under Sides, with the team posting a 5-1 record and boasting the highest-rated offense in the league. The momentum was undeniable, earning her the Coach of the Month award for the first time in franchise history. Yet, despite these achievements, Sides couldn’t crack the Coach of the Year conversation.

Sides’ rocky start-going 2-8 in the first 10 games-had fans skeptical of her ability to lead, but she eventually found her stride, and the Fever’s defense improved significantly.

With a roster featuring back-to-back Rookies of the Year, Clark in 2024 and Aliyah Boston in 2023, Sides still has a chance to prove herself next season. But uncertainty looms as two key players could shake up the team’s future.

Mitchell and Smith have one foot off the team

Veteran Kelsey Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent, has yet to re-sign with theFever. Dealing with the sudden loss of her father earlier this year, Mitchell’s future remains unclear.

Meanwhile, NaLyssa Smith, who saw a reduced role this season, stirred speculation with a cryptic Instagram post reflecting on her basketball journey. Though she clarified it wasn’t a farewell, her future with the team is still up in the air.

If the Fever lose Mitchell and Smith, Sides will have her hands full trying to keep this young team on track. For now, Fever fans are left wondering what the offseason will bring, while Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx celebrate their well-earned success.