When Damiris Dantas finally stepped back onto the court four months after suffering an MCL injury, there was a sense of relief but also uncertainty. And the head coach, Christie Sides, didn’t sugarcoat it. “Damiris hasn’t been an option for us yet. Temi showed us what she can do. So now Di just has to get in, and it’s going to take some time. But she’s going to get those minutes, and we’ll figure that out along the way,” she said. With that, a nine-year WNBA veteran was back, but for what result?
Dantas managed to appear in 20 games, enough to log in close to 10 minutes on average. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t enough. Not for someone who’s poured years into this league. So here she is, seven months since, and the grind she’s put in is unmistakable. How could fans not take notice?
It all comes up as a video of DD went viral wherein she’s seen practicing on the court. But it wasn’t the gameplay under the spotlight—instead, it was her transformation, the muscles she gained, and her agility. This was a player who could only manage to average 4.5 points last season. But this was also someone who wanted to help out her team to the max.
can’t wait for DD 2025! I’m ready pic.twitter.com/k2VLC70qse
— drafts (@drafts95452567) April 15, 2025
“I can bring everything,” she said, taking the court for the Fever last year. “More energy, I have experience: I’ve played in this league for nine years, so I hope I help my teammates.” And she had her moments, like the spin move against Napheesa Collier when the Fever were down 29-37. Or those effortless three-pointers, one of which got them a lead against the Aces. Some electric passes, too. But maybe Dantas knew she had a lot more to give. She proved that in the off-season.
Playing for the Turkish KBSL over the last few months, Dantas stacked up on impressive performances. After tallying 23 points, 11 rebounds in Jan, she followed it up with another double-double — 14 points, 10 rebounds — only a few days later. She has been honing her three-pointers and post play, which are exactly what make her a valuable player for the Fever. Especially with Temi Fagbenle gone.
Notably, Fever just picked up three players, Makayla Timpson, Bree Hall, and Yvonne Ejim, two of whom are power forwards, on this year’s draft night. And now, Indiana Fever boasts a powerful roster with DeWanna Bonner, Aliyah Boston, Jaelyn Brown, Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard, Lexie Hull, Sydney Colson, Kelsey Mitchell, Brianna Turner, Damiris Dantas, and Jilian Alleyne, along with three rooks.
With that, Dantas might not see glaring minutes, but she will be a reliable veteran. Last year, she had expressed joy at getting a chance to be on the court. “I worked hard to be ready, to help my teammates, help the team, so now it’s just the best part,” she had said. Now better than before, it sure looks like the forward has more to offer and the fans couldn’t have been more excited.
Fans react as Indiana Fever standout is quietly reclaiming her spotlight.
As soon as the video of Damiris Dantas dropped, fans flooded the comment section with excitement, curiosity, and a bit of shock.“What. A. Change!!!” one user exclaimed, clearly stunned by her transformation. But there’s a reason why fans are buzzing and it’s not just about what they saw in the clip. It’s about what it represents.
Dantas has been keeping a low profile lately, especially on social media. Her Twitter has been quiet for a while, and even on Instagram, her last post was a reshared highlight from the Indiana Fever’s official page. In case you’re unaware, it’s an epic 2024 moment that reminded everyone what she’s capable of. And in such a crucial time, the post featuring massive weight cut comes out. So how couldn’t the fans respond?
“Been talking about her being an ice cold clutch finisher since the playoffs, now y’all about to find out,” another fan wrote. Clearly, spectators haven’t forgotten her caliber. She may be in her ninth WNBA season, but Dantas’ prime performance came back in 2020 with the Minnesota Lynx. That year, she averaged an impressive 12.9 points and 6 rebounds per game—cementing her place as a two-way threat on the floor.
Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks to Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
But one thing has hindered her performance. One fan summed it up: “Can’t wait to see DD minutes this year.” The highest she saw was in 2020 with an average of 26. It has only declined ever since. But it’s been a long journey for Dantas and she knows how to bounce back.
It started in 2019 when she missed several games due to a calf injury with the Lynx. She eventually returned and posted a solid 9.2 points per game. Then came 2020, her breakout year. Just when everything seemed to be falling into place, misfortune struck again. On August 31, 2021, Dantas suffered a Lisfranc injury in her right foot. It ended her season abruptly and kept her out of the entire 2022 campaign as she recovered.
And just when fans thought the worst was behind her, 2023 delivered another blow—this time, an MCL injury in her right knee sidelined her for nearly half the season. Still, through it all, fans held onto hope and they still do. Another chimed in: “She gonna cook.”
“She looks like a completely different person. She was in that gymmmm,” one comment read. It feels like Dantas is back—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. And the numbers are up as evident from her off-season. Post up, pick and roll, shooting the three, and recover from multiple career-threatening injuries, all while staying locked in, Indiana Fever have a worth while forward them. And hopefully, we get to see more of the veteran soon.
The post Indiana Community In Disbelief as WNBA Veteran Drops Clear Message with Post-Transformation Clip appeared first on EssentiallySports.
