Caitlin Clark leaves no doubt on her opinion of Fever teammate

It was Caitlin Clark who led the way for the Indiana Fever on Friday night as they took down the Seattle Storm at home, 110-107. The 24-year-old turned in a historic performance with a career-high 45 points and 10 assists to become the first player in the WNBA to ever achieve these numbers. Clark added two rebounds, four steals, two blocks and six triples to round out her incredible outing.

Clark got a lot of help from her teammates, too. Kelsey Mitchell dropped 30 points, while Monique Billings chipped in with 16 points and five boards.

However, the highlight of the evening was second-year forward-center Makayla Timpson. The 23-year-old earned her first career start on Friday as Aliyah Boston sat out with a right lower leg injury.

Timpson responded with eight points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 32 minutes of play. The 6-foot-2 frontcourt player also stepped it up down the stretch, making clutch plays for the team in the dying moments of the game.

Indiana Fever forward Makayla Timpson (21) celebrates.

Caitlin Clark heaps praise on Indiana Fever teammate Makayla Timpson

As Clark discussed her historic performance during her postgame press conference, she also highlighted Timpson’s outstanding effort. Clark had some very high praise for her Fever teammate.

“Yeah, this is a tough first start,” Clark said. “[The Storm are] really good. They’re long, they’re athletic, they’re fast. They score in transition, and she stepped up to the challenge.

“I thought she kind of touched on it. She’s put in the work. She’s in the gym. She wants to get better. She’s willing to learn. She works with Rob, our player development (coach), all the time.”

Clark touched on Timpson’s potential. The Fever superstar believes that Timpson will go places if she continues putting in the work behind the scenes.

“So just really proud of her and the confidence she now has in herself and that everybody has in her,” Clark continued. “She can go out there and make plays. She’s probably the most athletic player I’ve ever played with and one of the most athletic players I’ve ever seen. It’s fun to kind of see that come to light.

“Everybody knows what she’s capable of, and she’s really just scratching the surface. So can’t wait to see where it takes her.”

Timpson is no star, but she’s been a crucial part of head coach Stephanie White’s rotation this season. Timpson proved on Friday that she is more than capable of stepping up when called upon.