Indiana Fever Player Makes Painful Admission Amid Temporary Leave
Damiris Dantas is heading back to the Indiana Fever with a broken heart but with her head held up high.
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On Sunday, Dantas and the Brazil National Team suffered a painful loss to the United States, 92,84, in the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup final. It marked the first defeat of the entire tournament for Dantas and Co., but there's no denying that it came at the most inopportune time.
Dantas, who has been on temporary leave from the Fever due to her international obligations, took to social media on Monday to share her honest reaction to the loss.
"Not the result we wanted," Dantas started, as translated to English by Instagram. "The truth is, it's very difficult to digest so many emotions after not winning the final. Put a movie in your head, you know? Every effort, every workout, every sacrifice, every drop of sweat shed... And yet, sometimes the scoreboard doesn't reflect everything we put on the field."
Indiana Fever forward Damiris Dantas (left) helped Brazil finish in second place at the FIBA AmeriCup.Grace Hollars/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Dantas went on to express her love to everyone who supported her and the team throughout the tournament. The 32-year-old veteran also sent a heartfelt message to her teammates on the national squad.
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"I am genuinely proud of the delivery of this group," she continued. "Proud of the fight, the grit and the way each one gave until the last second. We gave it all we had, and even if the result we dreamed of did not come, I am sure that we are on the right path.
"Defeats hurt, but they also teach. And I know that this group has the strength to get up, learn, and come back even stronger. Nobody lets go of anyone here."
Dantas admitted that she's hurting right now, but the pain is somewhat alleviated by her pride in what they have accomplished, as well as what the future holds for Brazil.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Dantas dropped a tournament-high 35 points in the gold medal game against the Americans. She finished the tournament as the leading scorer, averaging 21.4 points, which also led to an All Star 5 selection for the 6-foot-4 forward-center.
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Dantas will now head back to Indianapolis to rejoin the Fever, where she hopes to play in their next game on Wednesday against the Golden State Valkyries.
Related: Indiana Fever on Temporary Leave Suffers Painful Blow on Sunday
Related: Fever Player on Temporary Leave Gets Message From Indiana GM
Related: Lexie Hull Reacts to Indiana Fever News on Sunday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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