Brazilian veteran forward Damiris Dantas has reportedly deactivated her Instagram account after facing overwhelming criticism from Indiana Fever fans following her poor showing in Thursday’s preseason loss to the Dallas Wings.
In the 95-80 defeat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Dantas struggled to make an impact in her limited minutes. The 33-year-old center-forward managed just 5 points on 2-of-8 shooting, grabbed 4 rebounds, and recorded 1 assist while committing 3 turnovers. Her inability to stretch the floor or protect the rim was glaring, as Dallas bigs dominated the paint and the Wings pulled away in the second half.
Fever faithful, already riding high on expectations for the 2026 season, did not hold back. Social media platforms exploded with frustration, with many supporters calling out Dantas’ lack of energy and poor decision-making. Hashtags like #BenchDantas, #FeverStruggles, and #DoBetterDamiris quickly trended among the team’s passionate fanbase. Comments ranged from “She’s supposed to be a veteran leader, not a liability” to harsher personal attacks questioning her conditioning and commitment after returning late due to visa issues.
One viral post read: “Damiris collected another paycheck tonight while the young core fought. This is not what we signed up for.” Clips of her missed shots and defensive lapses circulated widely, amplifying the negativity.
Insiders say the barrage of direct messages and public shaming took a heavy emotional toll on Dantas, who has been a solid rotational player for the Fever since 2024. The Brazilian international, known for her experience and post presence, reportedly felt the criticism crossed into personal territory, prompting her to temporarily deactivate her Instagram account (@dantasdamiris), which has over 180,000 followers.
Teammates have privately shown support, with some acknowledging the intense pressure that comes with playing alongside stars like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Head coach Stephanie White has emphasized mental resilience during training camp, but the organization has remained silent on the social media incident.
This episode highlights the growing challenge of fan expectations in the WNBA’s rising popularity era. While some fans have expressed regret over the tone of the backlash, others insist accountability is essential as the Fever push for a deeper playoff run.
As the regular season approaches, all eyes will be on whether Dantas rebounds on the court — and if she chooses to return to social media. For now, the veteran appears to have chosen peace over the noise.
About the Author
