After months in silence and speculation, ex-Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides stuns fans by joining Canada’s national team as assistant coach. Her viral comeback photo has reignited debate over her past — and her unexpected future.

When Christie Sides was quietly let go from the Indiana Fever earlier this year, few expected to hear her name again—at least not so soon. The former head coach, once at the helm of one of the WNBA’s most-watched teams, had seemingly vanished from the spotlight. Critics claimed her coaching days were done. Meme pages poked fun at her absence. And yet, like many figures in women’s basketball, her story wasn’t over—it was just in hibernation.

Until now.

This week, in a plot twist no one saw coming, Sides emerged not in Indianapolis, not in the WNBA, but hundreds of miles north—on the official coaching staff of Team Canada’s senior women’s national basketball team. She will serve as an assistant coach for the squad during the upcoming AmeriCup tournament in Santiago, Chile. The news sparked immediate reaction online, especially after a viral image of Sides smiling alongside Canada’s coaching staff hit social media.

For many, it was more than just a staffing update—it was a statement.

Sides had spent the past few months watching from the sidelines (literally and figuratively) as her former team, now headlined by phenom Caitlin Clark, navigated a season filled with hype, historic viewership numbers, and… drama. From locker room tension to unexpected player departures, the Fever’s 2025 campaign has been anything but smooth.

And through it all, some fans believed Sides had been sending “subliminal messages” via social media—cryptic likes and posts during the Fever’s losing streak that left more questions than answers. Was she bitter? Vindicated? Or just watching like the rest of us?

Whatever the case, she’s no longer a bystander.

Her appointment to Team Canada comes as that nation ramps up preparations for not just this summer’s tournament, but possibly the 2028 Olympic Games. And while the assistant coach title may sound modest, it’s a powerful signal: Sides is back, and she’s rebuilding her reputation—internationally.

But while Sides’ redemption arc quietly unfolds, the Indiana Fever continue to make headlines for other reasons.

In the past two weeks alone, the franchise has weathered a mini-crisis. Veteran DeWanna Bonner shocked fans by abruptly leaving the team, asking for a trade, and ultimately being waived—all within days. The Fever scrambled to fill her void, reportedly re-signing Aari McDonald on a veteran minimum deal while searching for another forward under hardship exemption.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, the most watched and talked-about player in women’s basketball, is battling through what some speculate to be a minor sinus illness or simply the toll of back-to-back games under immense pressure. Her last two performances showed signs of fatigue, but analysts—and fans—expect her to bounce back, especially in their next matchup against Seattle.

Despite individual struggles, the Fever’s impact on the WNBA’s popularity is undeniable. Their recent game drew a staggering 2.2 million viewers, becoming the third most-watched regular season game in ESPN’s WNBA history. Clark’s presence alone has pushed media coverage, merchandise sales, and All-Star voting to new heights.

Yet amid all the numbers and noise, one truth is emerging: the Fever may be box office, but they’re also becoming one of the most turbulent locker rooms in the league.

Which brings us back to Christie Sides.

Her exit from Indiana was largely blamed on poor performance. But given the team’s ongoing internal shakeups, some are now wondering: was Sides the problem, or just the scapegoat?

By joining Canada’s coaching staff, she’s not just coaching again—she’s resetting the narrative. Away from the spotlight of the WNBA. Away from the Caitlin Clark frenzy. And perhaps, with a chance to prove that she was never out of her depth—just in the wrong storm.

In a league where loyalty is fickle and attention spans shorter than a shot clock, Christie Sides may have just pulled off the rarest of moves: leaving quietly… and returning louder than ever.