The Indiana Fever are now 1-8 on the 2024 WNBA season, after they were dominated by the Seattle Storm at home, 103-88.

Caitlin Clark was solid in the loss. She finished the game with 20 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds while going 3 of 8 from three point range.

Although the most impressive stat from Clark’s Thursday night was that she played all 40 minutes in the game.

It’s clear that Fever head coach Christie Sides was trying to secure a win against the Storm, by not having Clark sit out a single second.

But fans are questioning whether Sides should have stuck with that potentially dangerous tactic once the game was out of reach.

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides talks to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during a timeout Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Indiana Fever, 88-82.

Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

One X user wrote, “Caitlin Clark nearly played all the minutes of a game that was not within 20 points the last 12 minutes. what was the point.”

The implication is that it’s dangerous to risk Clark getting injured in what are essentially worthless minutes. Not to mention that Clark playing so much will tire her out so early in the season.

This most recent decision is just another questionable call that Sides has made so far this year.