Indiana Fever fire coach Christie Sides

Indiana Fever fire coach Christie Sides, becoming 6th WNBA team to make a change

SALADNA FOUND OUT. THIS WAS A SOLD OUT GAME. OVER 19,000 FANS PACKED THE GARDEN AND YOU COULD FEEL THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND THE GRATITUDE ALL THE WAY TO THE RAFTERS. EIGHT 910. THE SUN CLAIMED HOME COURT AND IN FACT BROUGHT THEIR OWN WITH THEM, BUT ACTUALLY PLAYING HERE IN BOSTON’S LEGENDARY GARDEN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WAS LOST ON NO ONE. IT FELT GREAT. IT FELT LIKE IT FELT LIKE WHAT EVERY NIGHT SHOULD FEEL LIKE. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL. I KEEP SAYING THIS IS TRENDING IN THIS DIRECTION, AND I THINK IT GAVE US ANOTHER LEVEL OF ENERGY TONIGHT. REPORTER. THE NIGHT STARTED WITH A BLOCK PARTY ON CANAL STREET. THE SUN HOSTED FOUR DAYS OF FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES. THE EMPHASIS HERE IS ON YOUNG FANS. TATUM THIS PAST YEAR STARTED PLAYING BASKETBALL IN OUR HOMETOWN, SO SHE’S REALLY EXCITED AND THE WHOLE LEAGUE IS GOING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT PLAYING BASKETBALL? I DON’T KNOW, IT’S JUST FUN. I REALLY LIKE. ALYSSA THOMAS THAT WOULD BE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST ALYSSA THOMAS. EVERYONE HERE HAS SOMEONE THEY ROOT FOR FOR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL. WE’RE MOVING UP, AND I’M JUST GLAD THAT PEOPLE ARE FINALLY RECOGNIZING MY FRIEND PLAYS ON THE CONNECTICUT SUN’S VERONICA BURTON. SO WE PLAYED BASKETBALL TOGETHER ALL OUR LIVES. THAT’S RIGHT. EVERYONE IS WATCHING WOMEN’S SPORTS. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD GAME, JUST LIKE SO AMAZING AND LIKE, TALL AND LIKE, THEY’RE REALLY GOOD SHOOTERS. WE’RE SO PRIVILEGED TO BE HERE. THIS WAS A FIRST, BUT IT WON’T BE THE LAST TIME THE WOMEN PLAY THE GARDEN. IN FACT, THERE IS ALREADY TALK OF NEXT SUMMER AT THE TD GARDEN. I’M MARY SALADNA WCV

Indiana Fever fire coach Christie Sides, becoming 6th WNBA team to make a change

The Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides on Sunday, the organization announced.Sides went 33-47 in her two seasons with the squad, including going 20-20 this season. The Fever made the playoffs as the sixth seed and were swept in the first round by the Connecticut Sun.Video above: Thousands pack TD Garden for first WNBA game everIndiana is the sixth team to make a coaching change this offseason, joining Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles. All of the coaches let go had three years or less experience.Whoever takes over the Fever will have a strong young core to work with, led by Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. The pair have won the last two WNBA Rookie of the Year awards."We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons while also positioning us well for future growth," said Kelly Krauskopf, president of basketball operations for the Fever."While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future."Krauskopf came back to the Fever earlier this month after spending time with the Indiana Pacers.Sides was a longtime assistant in the league, spending time with Chicago (2011-16), the Fever (2017-19) and Atlanta (2022) before getting the head coaching job. She replaced Marianne Stanley and her interim successor, Carlos Knox, who coached in the 2022 season.Sides had two years left on her contract.The Fever haven't had a head coach last for more than three years since Lin Dunn, who coached from 2008-14. Since then, they've had Stephanie White (2015-16), Pokey Chatman (2017-19) and Stanley (2020-22).Indiana had a brutal schedule to start the season and lost eight of their first nine games. The Fever finally got going after the Olympic break, winning seven of eight to get into playoff contention.

The Indiana Fever fired coach Christie Sides on Sunday, the organization announced.

Sides went 33-47 in her two seasons with the squad, including going 20-20 this season. The Fever made the playoffs as the sixth seed and were swept in the first round by the Connecticut Sun.

Video above: Thousands pack TD Garden for first WNBA game ever

Indiana is the sixth team to make a coaching change this offseason, joining Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington and Los Angeles. All of the coaches let go had three years or less experience.

Whoever takes over the Fever will have a strong young core to work with, led by Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. The pair have won the last two WNBA Rookie of the Year awards.

"We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons while also positioning us well for future growth," said Kelly Krauskopf, president of basketball operations for the Fever.

"While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future."

Krauskopf came back to the Fever earlier this month after spending time with the Indiana Pacers.

Sides was a longtime assistant in the league, spending time with Chicago (2011-16), the Fever (2017-19) and Atlanta (2022) before getting the head coaching job. She replaced Marianne Stanley and her interim successor, Carlos Knox, who coached in the 2022 season.

Sides had two years left on her contract.

The Fever haven't had a head coach last for more than three years since Lin Dunn, who coached from 2008-14. Since then, they've had Stephanie White (2015-16), Pokey Chatman (2017-19) and Stanley (2020-22).

Indiana had a brutal schedule to start the season and lost eight of their first nine games. The Fever finally got going after the Olympic break, winning seven of eight to get into playoff contention.

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