How veteran Temi Fagbenle’s return can help a young Fever team USA News Readers

Indiana Fever forward Temi Fagbenle day-to-day in return from injuryTemi Fagbenle has missed the Fever’s past 11 games with a foot injury.INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever forward Temi Fagbenle knows what it takes to win a championship, whether it’s in the WNBA or overseas.Drafted to Minnesota in 2017, she won a title in her rookie season alongside Lynx legends Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles. She left the WNBA in 2019 for personal reasons and stayed active in her home country of Great Britain, becoming the British Basketball League MVP in the 2023-24 season and leading the London Lions to a EuroCup championship.The Fever procured negotiating rights with Fagbenle in a 2021 trade with the Lynx. After three years, Fagbenle decided to return to the WNBA. And her experience is exactly what the Fever have needed. The 31-year-old is the only player on the roster with a WNBA ring.More: Why Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese remind Magic Johnson of his rivalry with Larry BirdNancy Armour: Fever vs. Sky rivalry is gift that will keep on giving for WNBA”She’s a great veteran,” coach Christie Sides said. “She’s been playing this game a long time, she had great experience in Minnesota with Sylvia Fowles and Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, all those guys. So now, she’s bringing what she learned from those guys to us, which is what we really need.”Fagbenle found her stride early in the season; her defensive skills carved out a roster spot for her in place of NaLyssa Smith at the 4 just seven games into the season.She was averaging 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and shooting 56.9% from the field when she injured her left foot against the Sparks on May 28, playing through it. Sides said Fagbenle didn’t feel any pain from the injury until after the game was over because of her adrenaline at the time.For Fagbenle, it shut down the progress she was making back in the WNBA.”Ah, I was in a great stride; the good old days,” Fagbenle joked.Her original diagnosis was 2-3 week before she was to be reevaluated, and she started formally practicing with the Fever again on Tuesday — nearly a month after her injury.”She’s just a spark on both ends,” Sides said. “She keeps playing throughout the possession, she always finds a way to get her hands on the ball, she’s just moving. She’s a great screener for us, quick in her rolls which opens up a lot of space for people. She just brings a different dynamic, and it’s good for us to have her back.”The transition back into practice was easy, Fagbenle said, especially as someone who preaches communication and talking to each other on the court.”It’s good to be back, even at practice today it was seamless,” Fagbenle said. “Talking, being loud, being a good teammate is going to be seamless wherever you are, wherever you go, unless you have teammates that are not receiving it. And thankfully my teammates receive it, so it’s been a seamless transition.”Even when she was out, Fagbenle was a cherished presence on the bench. As a veteran, Fagbenle preaches the little things: eye contact, talking, hustle and general communication.She essentially became an extra coach for the Fever for the past 11 games, including their four-game win streak. She’s also been the cheerleader for the Fever through their tough stretches, including their third loss to Connecticut on June 10 and the loss to the Sky on Sunday that broke that win streak.”I see things my teammates might not see when they’re on the floor, so I can help them in that way and tell them what I see on the court from my point of view,” Fagbenle said. “And I keep the energy high, as much as possible, keep it positive.”Fagbenle is still day-to-day; while she fully participated in practice on Tuesday, they aren’t yet giving her a designation for Indiana’s game in Seattle on Thursday. It comes down to how her foot feels following these practices.Fagbenle also could be on a minutes restriction when she returns.”Just kind of how she feels, we’re going to play her how it goes,” Sides said. “She’s just going to give us another option in the post, which is great for us.”Fagbenle will return to a frontcourt that is undergoing multiple changes. On Tuesday, the Fever activated Damiris Dantas, who has been out with a right knee injury. Fagbenle mostly plays at the 4, and Dantas is a stretch forward who could play the 4 or 5. Dantas’ debut still could be a ways off — she hasn’t practiced with the team and will need to ramp up to WNBA speed.Currently, Aliyah Boston starts at center while NaLyssa Smith is at power forward. Smith has been solid offensively, averaging 13.8 points and seven rebounds over the past five games, but defense and fouling has been an issue. When it comes to Smith or Fagbenle in the starting lineup, as well as Dantas in the rotation with Katie Lou Samuelson and Kristy Wallace at small forward, the Fever coaching staff will need to make some tough decisions.Follow IndyStar Fever Insider Chloe Peterson on X at @chloepeterson67.



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