Makayla Timpson has been everything the Indiana Fever could have hoped for on the defensive end this season. While she isn’t a regular starter, the second-year forward played a key role in the Fever’s 92-89 comeback victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday.
Timpson made a monstrous block in the fourth quarter that has since gone viral. The play happened with the Mercury leading by seven points with about four minutes left in regulation.
Mercury’s Kahleah Copper went up for a layup, but Timpson came out of nowhere to reject the shot, pinning the ball against the glass on the other side of the rim. The defensive stop directly sparked a transition play, leading to a huge three-pointer on the other end from Kelsey Mitchell to cut the deficit to just four points.
The block proved to be a turning point, as Indiana rallied to complete the comeback with several clutch plays down the stretch. After the game, the Fever players were quick to shower Timpson with praise for her incredible defensive effort.
Sophie Cunningham, who had her own viral moment by knocking down two clutch free throws late in the game, wrote on X:
“I’ve never seen this happen in the W ever. Just filthy.”
Aliyah Boston, who finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, also reacted on social media, posting:
“INSANEEEE 😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫”
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, who missed the game with a back injury, simply commented:
“My goodness.”
The reactions were understandable, as blocks of that nature are common in the NBA but rarely seen in the WNBA. Timpson finished with five rebounds, one assist and one block, while Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 29 points and eight assists.
With the victory, the Fever returned to the win column after splitting their recent road trip. They will next travel to Las Vegas to face the Aces, whom they defeated earlier this week.
Makayla Timpson Shows Major Improvement in Her Second Season
Makayla Timpson is one of the most promising young players on the Indiana Fever roster, making her an important piece of the franchise’s future.
Although she isn’t a regular starter, that doesn’t tell the full story. Timpson has continued to make significant strides in her second season, even if her stats don’t fully reflect her impact. She is averaging 13.3 minutes, 3.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game this season, a significant jump from her rookie season, when she averaged just 7.1 minutes, 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game.
For a 21-year-old playing on a Fever roster filled with veterans and established stars, Timpson has shown tremendous potential. If she continues to develop, she could become one of the team’s most valuable players for years to come.
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