With the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever have become the topic of the 2024 WNBA season. Clark has so far lived up to her billing as a rookie in the league, and the Fever have been playing better basketball since the start of the season. And assistance is on the way as the Fever attempt to compete for a playoff position. According to Chloe Peterson of The Indianapolis Star, the Fever activated forward Damiris Dantas on Tuesday and then waived rookie Celeste Taylor.
During the offseason, the Fever signed Damiris Dantas as a free agent. She suffered a knee injury outside of Fever training camp, therefore the team temporarily suspended her contract, as the WNBA permits. Dantas is presumably healthy now and ready to play so the Fever had to create room on the active roster for her.
Taylor was primarily out of the rotation, having participated in only five games for the Fever. She was the 15th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Damiris Dantas, a Brazil native, joins the Fever with eight years of WNBA experience. She last appeared in the league during the 2022 season with the Minnesota Lynx. That year, she appeared in 15 games, averaging little more than 17 minutes per game. She averaged 5.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 30.4 percent from the field, 26.2 percent from three, and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.
Dantas was selected 12th overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Lynx. She did not make her league debut until the 2014 season. She’s also played for the Atlanta Dream. Dantas adds size to the Fever’s frontcourt while also playing small-ball centre. She can play in the post and spread the floor with her shooting.
Fever have been playing improved basketball despite recent loss.
Christie Sides, the Indiana Fever’s head coach, discusses with guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the second half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena.
The Fever entered the 2024 WNBA season with one of the league’s poorest records. But, since a 3-10 start, they’ve won four of their last five games, including a four-game winning streak. A significant part of the recovery has been the improved chemistry between Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, as well as Boston’s expanded involvement in the Fever offence.
During its four-game winning streak, Boston averaged 19.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 blocked shots. She was shooting 74.8% from the field. The Fever had also managed this win run despite the absence of Temi Fagbenle, who had been promoted to the starting lineup owing to her good play before to sustaining a foot injury.
Clark has continuing to strengthen her case for Rookie of the Year. During the recent winning run, Clark averaged 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three.
The Fever are now 7-11, just half a game behind the Chicago Sky for the eighth and final playoff place. They are two games ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks, who are in tenth place.
