The Indiana Fever faithful are clutching their tissues, and Caitlin Clark might be next in line for an Oscar-worthy heartbreak scene. Friday’s WNBA expansion draft dealt a bittersweet hand to the Fever, as backup big and locker-room favorite Temi Fagbenle was scooped up by the Golden State Valkyries. For a team that just clawed its way back to postseason relevance, this loss stings deeper than a rookie’s first playoff sweep.
Fagbenle was the fifth player to join the league’s shiny new franchise, and while her selection was a testament to her rising stock, it left Indiana fans pondering the cosmic injustice of only being allowed to protect six players. As Fever fans mourned their loss on Twitter (with plenty of all-caps fury), Caitlin Clark chimed in with her own brand of social-media tenderness.
“Love ya tem! Gonna miss you ❤️,” Clark penned under Fagbenle’s farewell Instagram post. Short? Yes. Sweet? Certainly. Effective in drowning the internet in a pool of collective sobs? Absolutely.
Fagbenle’s post, an eloquent blend of gratitude and fire emojis, read like a love letter to Indiana. She praised her teammates, fans, and the tumultuous-yet-rewarding season that brought the Fever back to relevance.
“To my teammates: we had a season of revelations and growth. So proud of y’all for persevering. Thank you for lifting me and each other. F the noise. Keep growing together. Thank you for the consistent energy, Indy fans. Y’all are solid 🔥🙏🏾,” Fagbenle wrote, casually reminding everyone why she was a fan favorite.
The 6’4″ British-Nigerian forward made her mark in 2024, returning to the WNBA after a five-year hiatus like a phoenix rising from the ashes (or perhaps, in this case, a bench warmer turned baller). Her career-high 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists during the Fever’s pivotal win over the LA Sparks earned her a spot in Indiana’s highlight reels—and, apparently, Golden State’s wishlist.
The Fever’s Draft Conundrum: More Drama Than a Soap Opera
The Fever faced a near-impossible decision leading up to the draft. With Clark leading the charge and young star Aliyah Boston in tow, the team’s core is practically dripping with promise. But Fagbenle’s breakout season made it tough to let her go. Cue the violins.
In an ironic twist, Clark celebrated the Valkyries also picking up Kate Martin, her former Iowa Hawkeye teammate, calling it a “win” on social media. Let’s hope she didn’t accidentally tag Temi in that post.
Mark Your Calendars for Fagbenle’s Indiana Encore
Circle Thursday, June 19, on your calendars because that’s when Fagbenle suits up against her old squad at the Chase Center. If that’s not enough drama, she’ll grace Gainbridge Fieldhouse with her presence on Wednesday, July 9, before wrapping up the series on Sunday, August 31. Expect hugs, maybe some tears, and hopefully no turnovers.
Fagbenle’s departure underscores the brutal nature of the WNBA expansion draft—it’s like ripping a Band-Aid off a bullet wound. But if her performance in 2024 was any indication, the Valkyries just gained a secret weapon.
Indiana, chin up. As the saying goes: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because Caitlin Clark might drop a triple-double out of spite next season.
