Caitlin Clark’s rookie season could not be going much worse. The Indiana Fever fell to 1-8 on the season with a 103-88 loss to the Seattle Storm. 

Clark continues to play well, despite her team’s struggles. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft finished with 20 points, nine assists and three rebounds in Indiana’s defeat Thursday night.

After the game, Clark issued a public complaint about WNBA officiating. Fever coach Christie Sides went in a different direction, though.

Sides announced a pretty blatant excuse after the Fever’s loss to the Storm. She says Indiana’s defense continues to struggle because the team hasn’t had much practice time.

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides argues with the referees before receiving a technical foul, Thursday, May 30, 2024, during the WNBA game against the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Seattle Storm defeated the Indiana Fever 103-88.

Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides argues with the referees before receiving a technical foul, Thursday, May 30, 2024, during the WNBA game against the Seattle Storm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Seattle Storm defeated the Indiana Fever 103-88.

© Joe Timmerman/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

“I just think we’ve not had the practice time,” Sides said. “That has a lot to do with it. 103 points is just too many.”

That’s a bold excuse to make at this point in the season. The Fever had just as much practice time as everyone else before the season started.

Indiana will try and get its second win of the season this Saturday as Clark battles Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.