The Indiana Fever survived without Aliyah Boston, thanks in large part to a historic performance from Caitlin Clark. The All-Star guard finished with 45 points, 10 assists, four steals and two blocks to help Indiana earn a 110-107 win against the Seattle Storm on Friday.
Kelsey Mitchell added 30 points on 13-of-25 shooting, while Monique Billings chipped in 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
Another key contributor to the game was Boston's replacement. Makayla Timpson made her first career start for Indiana and impressed with her performance. She tallied eight points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 32 minutes of action.
Her eight offensive rebounds were the third-most in a single game in Fever history. Her motor and hustle were huge factors for Indiana as the team staged a comeback after falling behind by eight points midway through the fourth quarter.
With 3:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Fever trailing 98-96, Timpson dove for the loose ball and helped the team gain possession by winning the ensuing jump ball.
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After the game, head coach Stephanie White was full of praise for Timpson and how she stepped up in place of Boston.
"KK's hustle play was the play of the game. I mean, getting on the floor after that loose ball and saving the possession, big time," White shared. "I'm so proud of her, too. I mean, she was ready. She came in and she did exactly what we needed her to do."
When asked about Timpson's growth and her journey to earning the team's trust as a starter, White emphasized that the 23-year-old forward-center is now a "different player" compared to how she was when she was drafted.
The Fever head coach added that Timpson is only "scratching the surface of what her ability is going to be in this league," both on offense and defense.
"Obviously, she has incredible athleticism," White said of Timpson. "She has really learned how to play on the perimeter and be a great screener and cutter. Her ability to be a switchable defender and her versatility allows us to do that with her. Her confidence on the offensive end of the floor is growing as well. So, you know, I think she's just scratching the surface. She's got tremendous amount of upside, and I think every day she's gaining more and more confidence."
Timpson has certainly proven that she can be a key contributor for Indiana and help the team win games. The frontcourt has been a constant issue for the Fever, with fans believing the team lacks depth behind Boston. That being said, Timpson's growth will be crucial to further elevating the squad.
