Indiana Fever Coach Addresses Caitlin Clark's Physical Outburst During Practice /dn

Caitlin Clark’s competitiveness is a core reason why she’s such a great basketball player.

During the ESPN+ “Full Court Press” documentary series that debuted this past weekend, Clark’s parents allude to her competitive nature being due to her having two brothers, with whom she was always playing.

Now well into adulthood, Clark has kept that competitive streak as she opens her pro career with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.

During Sunday’s practice, Clark took a three-point shot that was supposed to mimic a game-winning buzzer beater.

Right after the shot missed, Clark turned around and whacked a padded side-wall out of frustration.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) throws her head back after getting hit in the face Thursday, May 9, 2024, during the preseason game against the Atlanta Dream.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark throws her head back after getting hit in the face during Thursday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Dream.

Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

After the practice, Fever head coach Christie Sides addressed Clark’s outburst when speaking with the media.

“They’re all really competitive, and that’s what is gonna drive us,” Sides said of her team.

“Our competitive spirit,” Sides continued. “I mean, we wanna make sure that we’re the hardest working, most competitive team in the gym. They want to win everything, and we were working on some late-game stuff. And, I mean, [Clark] didn’t get the shot.”

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Sides concluded by saying, “[Clark’s] gonna get those shots, and she’s gonna hit ’em. We’re gonna give her that opportunity.”

The Fever head coach clearly trusts her star player.

Clark makes her regular-season WNBA debut when the Fever visits the Connecticut Sun at 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and Disney+.