While Unrivaled chugs along here in the States, three Indiana Fever players tore it up overseas over the weekend.
These three big performances came from three bigs, giving Fever fans a taste of what they can expect in the frontcourt for the new-look Fever. Last season's frontcourt woes seem to be a thing of the past with the new additions the team has made in free agency.
Natasha Howard with a double-double
Howard, beginning her second stint with the Fever in May, said she was happy to be back in Indy to provide as much help as possible for this 2025 Indiana Fever title run. But aside from what she can provide in playoff experience, with her three WNBA Championships, she showed on Saturday that she provides much more in production.
Howard finished the game with a team-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, her 12th double-double on the season, as CBK Mersin of the KBSL in Turkey defeated Fenerbahce, 72-66. It is her sixth double-double in her past eight games, a timeframe that goes back to Christmas Day.
After taking about a month off in between to engage in WNBA free agency, Howard has picked up right where she left off.
Damiris Dantas on a tear in Turkey
Damiris Dantas came into this offseason with a ton of pressure, as she was the only returning true big the Fever had following the departure of Temi Fagbenle. While the additions of Natasha Howard and Brianna Turner have lightened the load, Dantas has been exceptional this offseason in Turkey.
Dantas recorded her sixth double-double on February 17, dropping 14 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and racking up four steals, as Botaş Spor defeated Emlak Konut, 53-46. It was Dantas' third double-double in four games.
Dantas has been stellar for Botaş, averaging 18.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest. The minutes will be tough to come by in the new-look Fever frontcourt, but Dantas is proving that she deserves an expanded role in 2025.
Brianna Turner fills it up Down Under
The newest addition to the Indiana Fever was busy on February 15, doing it all for the Adelaide Lightning in its 87-70 win over Geelong United.
Turner dropped 19 points and was just a rebound shy of the third double-double on this list. She, instead, rejected two shots and picked up a steal, as well as led the game in scoring. Turner was signed to help out on defense, and this first game since being signed by the Fever is exactly what fans signed up for.
Turner will likely back up Aliyah Boston at center, splitting time with Dantas and Howard depending on the lineup. Expect a ton of defense this season.