In a plot twist worthy of a sports soap opera, the Indiana Fever said goodbye to one of their unsung heroes, Temi Fagbenle, who was drafted by the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Expansion Draft. And who else but Caitlin Clark, the face of the Fever franchise and a walking highlight reel, stepped up to deliver the kind of heartfelt goodbye that even Hollywood couldn’t script.
The 6’4” center with a knack for pulling off jaw-dropping plays while also giving off “team mom” vibes, Fagbenle, took to social media to express gratitude to the Fever, her teammates, and the rabid Indiana fanbase. Naturally, she kept it classy and motivational, because, of course, she did.
“Thank you for a great season @IndianaFever. To my teammates: we had a season of revelations and growth,” Fagbenle wrote, adding a perfectly cryptic “F the noise” as if she just dropped the mic on a motivational TED Talk.
But the star of the farewell show was Caitlin Clark, who chimed in with a comment that was equal parts sweet and soul-crushing for Fever fans:
“Love ya tem! Gonna miss you,” Clark wrote, tossing in a heart emoji for good measure because even a generational talent can get sentimental.
The Duo That Could’ve Been Legendary
Fagbenle’s departure ends what might have been one of the most underrated partnerships in the league. The pick-and-roll combo between Clark, who casually launches threes from downtown like it’s a warmup drill, and Fagbenle, a human brick wall in the paint, was the stuff of dreams. Seriously, opposing defenses probably still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about their 21 assisted field goals this season.
And let’s talk numbers. Despite being sidelined for a chunk of the season—because why not throw in some adversity for dramatic effect—Fagbenle still managed to average career highs with 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Clark continued to redefine “doing it all,” carrying the Fever to their first playoff berth since the Obama administration.
A New Beginning in the Bay Area
Now, Fagbenle is packing her bags for the Bay Area, joining the Golden State Valkyries, a shiny new expansion team that screams “potential,” if not “chaos.” With a roster featuring six international players and head coach Natalie Nakase at the helm, it’s anyone’s guess how this Cinderella story will unfold. But hey, at least the team name sounds cool.
For Indiana fans, the pain is real. Losing Fagbenle is like finding out your favorite indie band just signed with a major label—it’s great for them, but what about us?
Fever Fans Left With a Glimmer of Hope
As the Valkyries gear up for their inaugural season, Fever fans are left with the bittersweet memories of what could have been. Fagbenle and Clark may have only shared the court for 22 games, but their chemistry was undeniable. Whether it was Clark threading the needle for an assist or Fagbenle throwing down gritty rebounds, they were the epitome of “short but sweet.”
So, to Temi Fagbenle: thank you for the highlights, the hustle, and the heartfelt Instagram posts. And to Caitlin Clark, who now has to adjust to life without her partner-in-crime: good luck carrying Indiana on your back…again.
Who knows? Maybe the Fever will find another diamond in the rough. Or maybe, just maybe, the Valkyries will regret messing with Indiana’s basketball soul. Either way, the WNBA just got a whole lot spicier.