Makayla Timpson has been the unsung hero amid Fever's winning streak originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It takes a lot to win a WNBA championship.
Unexpected contributors have to step up at various points in the season due to injuries or inconsistencies. Player development and a stable culture are vital to success.
The Indiana Fever had an up-and-down start to the season. Indiana had just a 10-8 record through June 24. Head coach Stephanie White has been under mounting pressure to get her stars Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell to gel into a championship-contending trio.
Since June 24, the Fever has gone on a tear. If the season ended today, Indiana would enter the playoffs as the No.3 seed amid a stretch of 14 wins in 18 games. They bring a five-game winning streak into Dallas on Thursday night against the Wings.
MORE: Fever's Caitlin Clark continues a streak that has her thinking MVP
Beyond her All-Star trio, White has been able to count on second-year big Makayla Timpson during a challenging stretch of games, and the center known affectionately as "KK" has been delivering.
“KK has done everything great... just really proud of her and the way she’s grown since the All-Star break. She’s been huge for us and a difference maker. Proud of you.” ❤️
Caitlin Clark and Makayla Timpson spoke with Holly Rowe after tonight's win against the Dream. pic.twitter.com/AZaylHm6qY
Timpson, a second-round pick in the 2025 draft, has started every game of the Fever's winning streak. In Sunday's win over the Dream, she announced herself on a national stage, where she scored a career-high 20 points as Indiana rallied for an overtime victory in Atlanta.
Over the five-game winning streak, Timpson is averaging 9.4 points and 5.6 rebounds on 67 percent shooting. Her growth into a viable starter means White can partner her with Boston -- and the Fever has become more resolute defensively as a result.
Makayla Timpson opened up to EssentiallySports about her bond with Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Boston:
"She's a beast... The chemistry that we have is really close and I'm grateful for it. I'm picking up what she puts down on the court." 🗣️
It’s clear that the @IndianaFever… pic.twitter.com/QjWHXYHbK9
Only time will tell whether this new frontcourt partnership will be the stabilizing factor that gets the Fever over the hump and into the WNBA Finals for the first time in 11 years.
But right now, it looks awfully promising for the Fever, whose coaching staff has done a tremendous job molding Timpson into a WNBA starter.
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