But with Boston and Clark -- back-to-back No. 1 picks -- forming the young nucleus of the team, there is a solid foundation moving forward. Dunn talked about a three-year plan in getting the Fever back to the playoffs when she returned to the franchise in February 2022.
The new plan?
"The next timeline is playing for championships," Dunn said. "That's why I loved working for Pacer Sports and Entertainment and the Fever. We were all about winning. We were all about bringing great people into this franchise with a commitment to doing whatever we needed to do to be competitive, night in and night out. We expect this franchise to be competing for championships."
There might be some history on their side, too. The three previous WNBA franchises to have back-to-back No. 1 picks went on to win a WNBA championship within four years. Not that anyone is counting.
As Sides put it: "We definitely have the pieces to have some great years ahead of us."
What gave Sides even more pride in her team was that it had to fight more than a tough start this season. Clark has been in the spotlight for years now, but her addition to the WNBA has led to more personal attacks in various forms, from social media to in-person harassment.
In fact, Clark got into it with a fan in the first quarter, complaining to the officials. While it was unclear what the fan said, security pulled him off the floor and spoke with him before he was allowed back to his seat.
Earlier in the week, social media speculation ran rampant over whether DiJonai Carrington intentionally poked Clark in the eye, leaving behind a bruise. Both players denied it was intentional, but that did not stop it from becoming a talking point. In fact, the Sun posted a fingernail painting emoji on social media after their victory. This, of course, is not the first time this has happened. Any interaction between Clark and other players that turns physical is dissected ad nauseum.
Clark did not address the microscope she has been under for the past several years,
"It's a lot of hurtful, hateful speech out there that's happening, and it's unacceptable," Sides said. "This is basketball, and this is their job, and they're doing the best they can. And when it gets personal to me, there's no reason for it. These guys have to listen and watch -- social media is their life. That's just what they do. And they have to read and see these things constantly, and just all the stories that are made up of what people see or think they see. It is just not acceptable when it gets personal."
Perhaps now that the season is over, there will be some time for reflection. As Clark said, "I feel like basketball has really consumed my life for a year. So I feel like it'll be good for me to kind of reflect back on everything that's happened."
She has no plans to pick up a basketball in the coming weeks. But you might find her on a golf course somewhere in Indiana until the weather turns cold.
"I'll become a professional golfer," Clark said with a laugh.
"Not too much," Boston said. "Keep it basketball.
