Is Temi Fagbenle playing against Atlanta Dream? Latest on the Fever center’s status (August 26)

Temi Fagbenle returned from nearly a two-month injury layoff to play for the Indiana Fever on Saturday against the Minnesota Lynx. Fever coach Christie Sides eased her back, limiting her to 16 minutes. Sides opened up about her team’s cautious approach for the veteran leading into the matchup in Minnesota.

The Fever doesn’t have anyone on their injury report for Monday’s showdown against the Atlanta Dream. This is the first time since early July that Indiana issued a clean bill of health for everyone on the roster, and Fagbenle has been given the go-signal to suit up against the Dream.

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What happened to Temi Fagbenle?

Temi Fagbenle injured her thumb on June 27 against the Seattle Storm. The backup center played 19 minutes and contributed eight points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Fagbenle refused to let the injury stop her from playing against the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces. She discussed the Fever’s decision to finally shut her down with reporters:

“I was in denial … I was just running on adrenaline, being angry, annoyed.”

Because of the month-long Olympic break, Temi Fagbenle missed only seven games. Indiana went 5-2 while one of its veterans recovered from her thumb injury. Fagbenle did not look out of sync in her return against the Minnesota Lynx, finishing the game with four points and five rebounds.

Fever fans weren’t surprised to see her energy and hustle. They were probably disappointed, though, that she couldn’t do much to slow down Napheesa Collier, who lit up Indiana with 31 points. Still, Fagbenle did well for somebody who hadn’t played in nearly two months and gave Aliyah Boston some much-needed rest during her 16-minute appearance.

Temi Fagbenle will try to help slow down Tina Charles

The matchup between Aliyah Boston and Tina Charles on Monday will be one of the biggest sub-headlines in the Fever-Dream showdown. Boston outplayed Charles in the first meeting between the two teams before the 2012 MVP bounced back in the rematch.

In front of what is expected to be a record crowd, Charles could have another explosive night. Boston will be Charles’ primary defender but Temi Fagbenle will get her shot at slowing Atlanta’s star center, too. The Fever will have a big chance of hiking their record to 3-0 against the Dream if their two post players can slow down Charles.