Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides put Caitlin Clark and the rest of her team on notice following the team's 102-66 loss to the New York Liberty on Thursday night.
The teams told reporters after the game that the team needs to be tougher mentally.
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Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) and teammate Caitlin Clark, right, in the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
“If someone keeps hitting you, you have to be able to respond,” Sides said, via Athlon Sports. “You have to give some of that back. And that's where we are. We have to get to another level of mental toughness.
“We just have to get better. Become stronger mentally.”
Frustrations mounted for the Fever as the team committed 13 turnovers. Fever forward Aliyah Boston and Liberty star Jonquel Jones battled under the basket throughout the game. Indiana also missed crucial shots in the third quarter as the team got back into the game.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is on the court in the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
In the fourth quarter, after Indiana cut the deficit to just 11 points, Liberty went on a 13-2 run to start the frame and never looked back.
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Indiana shot 36.7% from the floor, including 26.3% from 3-point range.
Caitlin Clark had nine points, seven rebounds, six assists and three turnovers. He did not speak to reporters after the game.
“I have a great perspective on everything and I think the same applies to my college career,” he said before the game. “There were some moments that were absolutely incredible, and there were other moments where I wasn't happy with how I played, how I performed and how my team performed. But that's life. That's basketball.”
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) talks with teammate Caitlin Clark, right, in the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Thursday, May 16, 2024 , in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Indiana fell to 0-2 to start the season. The Liberty improved to 2-0.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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