Indiana Fever Dealt Unfortunate Injury News Less Than 24 Hours Before WNBA Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Sep 13, 2025 5:36 PM ET

The Indiana Fever are set to face the Atlanta Dream on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in Game 1 of the first round of the WNBA Playoffs.

The two teams met four times in the first 20 games of the season, splitting the series 2-2. But Indiana’s roster looks much different now.

The Fever were already without Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, and Chloe Bibby — all sidelined with season-ending injuries. Now, less than 24 hours before tipoff, they’ve been dealt another major blow.

According to Fever beat reporter Scott Agness, center Damiris Dantas has entered concussion protocol and will not be available on Sunday, adding to Indiana’s already extensive injury list.

Fever have a new addition to the injury report, a sixth player.

Center Damiris Dantas is in the concussion protocol and not available for Game 1 on Sunday.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) September 13, 2025

While Damiris Dantas’ minutes in the rotation vary depending on matchups and availability, she has logged 10 or more minutes in each of the Fever’s last three games.

Against a Dream team with elite size and length in Brionna Jones, Naz Hillman, and Brittney Griner, her absence — even though she isn’t known as a top shot blocker — could still be significant for depth on an already shorthanded roster.

This season, Dantas has averaged 4.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. In the Fever’s regular-season finale against the Minnesota Lynx, she contributed 10 points and six rebounds in 17 minutes.

With Dantas sidelined, it’s unlikely head coach Stephanie White expands the rotation in Game 1.

Playoff rotations often shrink, and Indiana will likely stick with the familiar starting five of Natasha Howard, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull, Odyssey Sims, and Kelsey Mitchell. Off the bench, Aerial Powers, Shey Peddy, and Brianna Turner are expected to be the primary contributors, with Turner in particular likely needing to take on a bigger role.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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