Grace Smth- INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images

Stephanie White Sounds Alarm for Indiana Fever Ahead of Key Player’s Absence

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 7:22 PM ET

The WNBA season is heating up alongside summer temperatures, and the Indiana Fever are preparing for the final game of their three-game road trip Tuesday night against the Seattle Storm.

The Fever are 6-7 and third in the Eastern Conference. Seattle enters the matchup with a 9-5 record, good for third in the Western Conference.

While Caitlin Clark continues to be the most-watched player on the Fever roster, the team's depth is just as important. And that depth will be tested soon. Following Tuesday’s game, Indiana will be without one of its key contributors.

Chloe Peterson, who covers the Fever and the WNBA, spoke with Indiana head coach Stephanie White about what it means to be without Damiris Dantas: “It’s going to be a tough adjustment. Everyone else will have to step up.”

Stephanie White says “it’s going to be a tough adjustment” with Damiris Dantas temporarily stepping away from the team for AmeriCup, and “everyone else will have to step up.”

Dantas will miss five Fever games from June 26-July 8, including the Commissioner’s Cup final. pic.twitter.com/SbeBlGrqRG
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 24, 2025

Dantas will miss five games between Thursday and July 8 as she plays in the AmeriCup for Brazil. That stretch includes the Commissioner’s Cup final.

Though she’s been coming off the bench this season, Dantas has provided a valuable spark. She’s averaging 11.7 minutes and 4.6 points per game, offering veteran stability and energy when needed.

The 32-year-old from Brazil is no stranger to the WNBA or international play. She appeared in 20 games for the Fever last season after spending 2023 out of the league. Dantas began her WNBA career with the Minnesota Lynx in 2014 and has also played for the Atlanta Dream.

Internationally, her resume is impressive. She starred in the 2011 Under-19 World Championship, earning MVP honors, and helped Brazil win gold at the 2019 Pan American Games. Most recently, she was part of the gold medal-winning squad at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup.

While her scoring numbers aren’t eye-popping, her absence will still be felt. As the Fever try to find momentum and climb the standings, they’ll need others to step up in her place, something White is already preparing her team for.

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

More must-reads: