As Caitlin Clark prepares to make a run in the playoffs, a surprising revelation about her MVP voting rank has fans and insiders buzzing. Clark, who has already made waves in her first professional season, finished fourth in the MVP voting – a decision that has raised eyebrows across the league.
Just hours before her Indiana Fever face off against the Connecticut Sun in their playoff opener, the Associated Press announced that Clark had been crowned Rookie of the Year. But the real headline-grabber was the MVP result, where Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson took home the top honor. Despite Clark’s standout season, she finished behind Wilson, garnering a total of 130 points in the voting.
The response to this ranking was swift, and none more direct than from Fever head coach Christie Sides. In a pregame interview, Sides didn’t hold back when asked about Clark’s place in the MVP voting.
Christie Sides gave a candid reaction
Christie Sides on Caitlin Clark finishing fourth in MVP voting:
“She’s one of the reasons we’re here today.” pic.twitter.com/mB8yr7OyRr
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) September 22, 2024
“Look, Caitlin’s had a season unlike any other rookie in the history of this league. There’s no debating that,” Sides remarked. “She has shattered records, redefined what it means to be a rookie, and to think she wasn’t even in the top three for MVP – it’s shocking. But that just speaks to the competition in the league. That being said, I wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
Clark’s historic rookie campaign included staggering stats, with averages of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game. She also set multiple records, including the most assists in a season, the first two triple-doubles by a rookie, and the most points by a first-year player. Yet, for some, her fourth-place finish in MVP voting feels like a significant slight.
Sides‘ comments add fuel to the debate, and some critics are now questioning if the MVP voting system truly reflects a player’s impact or if it’s simply a popularity contest. Clark’s performance on the court, particularly after a strong second half of the season post-Olympic break, suggests she should have been in closer contention. The Fever went 9-5 in their final 14 games, surging to a respectable 20-20 record and earning their spot in the playoffs – a feat few expected from a team led by a rookie.
As the Fever head into their matchup against the Sun, all eyes are on Clark to see if she can continue her dominance and silence any remaining doubters.
