Stephanie White singles out one player after Indiana Fever loss

The Indiana Fever fell 107-104 to the Dallas Wings in the season opener on Saturday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Despite the loss, head coach Stephanie White singled out Makayla Timpson after her impressive performance off the bench.

The 23-year-old forward got more playing time after starter Monique Billings was sidelined. Billings suffered a right ankle injury in the preseason finale against Nigeria on May 2. 

Timpson seized the opportunity, delivering important plays at crucial moments. She scored 11 points in just 19 minutes, shooting 5-of-6 from the field. It was the second-highest scoring game of the 6-foot-2 forward’s young career. Her impact was most felt during an intense third-quarter comeback by the Fever.

Trailing by nine at halftime, Indiana outscored Dallas 29-20 in the third period. The run was fueled by Timpson’s seven points. Her timely baskets tied the game twice before the fourth quarter began. Those baskets helped Indiana enter the final frame tied at 80-80.

Indiana Fever: Stephanie White lauds Makayla Timpson’s productive night

After the game, White praised Timpson for quickly adjusting after a shaky start and improving as the game progressed.

“Her work led her to having such a productive night,” White told reporters in a press conference. “She’s been working. She understands where she can find her spots.

“The thing with KK in the first half, not in the right spots sometimes defensively, not in the right coverages sometimes defensively. In the second half, we went back to her and she corrected it, so she’s going to get her opportunities.”

White was also impressed by Timpson’s athleticism and ability to create scoring opportunities by moving well along the baseline. She emphasized that the young forward’s mobility and energy give a dimension the roster otherwise lacks.

“She brings something different,” White continued. “We don’t have, like, she’s athletic. She’s really good at those cuts along the baseline. She understands where she can find success.

“And, you know, it’s still a journey for her. Second year, she was in and out of the rotation quite a bit last year. So I was pleased with what she gave us.”

Timpson’s impressive game happened alongside big performances from Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. The three Fever stars combined for 73 points, with each player scoring 20 points or more.

Timpson, the 19th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, improved in each of the team’s three preseason games. The former Florida State Seminoles standout finished in double figures each time.

With Indiana looking toward its next matchup, Timpson appears to have secured a bigger role in the Fever’s rotation. Indiana will play its next game on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena against the Los Angeles Sparks. 

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/indiana-fever-stephanie-white-singles-out-makayla-timpson/