Christie Sides Gives Injury Update On Key Indiana Fever Player

With the 2024 Paris Olympics ending on Sunday, Indiana Fever basketball is nearing a return after almost a month off. They are starting to ramp up practice in preparation for their game on Friday against the Phoenix Mercury.

Forward Temi Fagbenle is hoping to make a return to the court, as well. The 31-year-old hasn't played since July 2 due to a right thumb injury. Before the Olympic break, she was still wearing an air-cast to help aid her injury.

On Tuesday, during the Fever's media availability, coach Christie Sides provided a new update on Fagbenle's status with the season restarting in just a few days.

“We’re close," Sides said. "We’re a lot closer than we were before the break. We don’t want to do anything that will set her back even more, so we're just being very cautious.”

This is not the first serious injury Fagbenle has dealt with in the 2024 season. She was held out for most of June with a foot injury. She returned on June 27 against the Seattle Storm and only played three games before being ruled out again.

Overall, Fagbenle has played in just 11 of the Fever's 26 games this year, nine of which were off the bench. She is averaging 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 21.6 minutes per game.

This is Fagbenle's first season with the Fever. She previously played for the Minnesota Lynx from 2017-19 before playing overseas for five years.

The Fever started the season with an 11-15 record. They sit comfortably in playoff position, and adding a key piece like Fagbenle back into the rotation would be huge.

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