Heartbreak on the Court: Odyssey Sims Steps Away from Indiana Fever After Son’s Shooting Trauma..

Heartbreak on the Court: Odyssey Sims Steps Away from Indiana Fever After Son’s Shooting Trauma..

In a devastating turn that has shaken the WNBA community, Indiana Fever point guard Odyssey Sims announced she is taking an indefinite leave of absence following a horrific incident involving her five-year-old son, Jaiden. The young boy became an innocent victim in a mass shooting in Dallas, Texas, last week, where gunfire erupted during a community event, leaving several children injured.

Sims, a 33-year-old veteran known for her explosive scoring and tenacious defense, was in Dallas visiting family when the unthinkable unfolded. Jaiden, Sims’ pride and joy born in April 2020, sustained non-life-threatening wounds to his arm and leg. He underwent emergency surgery and is now recovering in a local hospital, surrounded by loved ones. “My baby is my world. Nothing else matters right now,” Sims shared in a brief statement through the Fever, her voice cracking during a team press call.

The shooting, which claimed one life and injured eight others including four minors, has reignited national fury over gun violence. Authorities believe it stemmed from a dispute at a block party in South Dallas, with three suspects in custody. Sims, a Dallas native and Baylor University alum, has long advocated for child safety, often crediting Jaiden as her anchor amid a nomadic 11-year WNBA career spanning teams like the Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, and now the Fever.

This marks Sims’ second major career pause for family. After Jaiden’s birth, she joined the Lynx’s COVID bubble post-quarantine, nearly retiring to focus on motherhood. As a single parent, she leans on her mother, Pamela Thompson, and brothers Oscar and Onaye for support. On the court, Sims has been a spark off the bench for Indiana, averaging 7.2 points and 3.1 assists in 22 games this season, helping fuel the Fever’s playoff push.

Teammates rallied around her Friday, with star Caitlin Clark posting on X: “O’s strength is our strength. Prayers for Jaiden—get well, little warrior.” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert extended league resources, including counseling. Sims, who once scored a career-high 39 points as a rookie, now channels that fire into advocacy. “We need change. For Jaiden, for all kids,” she urged.

As the Fever prepare for their Eastern Conference semifinal opener without her, the league pauses to honor resilience. Sims’ return timeline is uncertain, but her spirit—forged in Irving’s streets and Baylor’s glory—remains unbreakable. Jaiden’s laughter, doctors say, is already echoing down hospital halls.