Aari McDonald providing Indiana Fever with steady hand

Unfortunately, the Fever are banged up. Fortunately, they are so banged up that they are able to sign a player using the emergency hardship exception. With Colson on the mend and Clark sidelined, a guard made the most sense. And so, earlier this week, Indiana added Aari McDonald to its roster.

“I’ve always been impressed with her ability to defend, her activity level on the defensive end of the floor, her ability to get to the paint and make decisions once she gets there,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said of McDonald. “You know, she’s a true point guard, so she brings that energy.”

McDonald officially practiced with the team for the first time on Monday. Colson also practiced that day, but McDonald’s addition was still welcome for the Fever, with Clark out and Cunningham missing practice entirely. Insert McDonald, who has filled in by providing needed depth at the guard position. She spent her first three seasons in the WNBA with the Atlanta Dream and was with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024.

“When I got the call, I was very excited, very blessed,” McDonald said of the opportunity. She added she had been anxious sitting at home watching games without a team. “It was a humbling experience to join a team like the Fever, and I’m just excited and ready to compete and just win.”

The Fever’s new guard averaged 8.6 points and 2.8 assists per game across her first four seasons. She brings those abilities to Indiana, but both McDonald and the Fever have to work to mesh together. At practice earlier this week, the team was doing their part to make sure she fit in.

For guard Kelsey Mitchell, that meant reacting to what McDonald does. For McDonald, it was just about watching film and figuring out what Indiana does when it comes to plays and coverages. It’s a tough balance to strike between working a player into the system and needing her to produce instantly.

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The need for quick results is because of the Fever’s schedule. Cunningham and Colson both went down during a loss against the Connecticut Sun. Three days later, the Fever were playing again — this time hosting the Washington Mystics. With just eight healthy players and few ball handlers, they needed McDonald to play quickly and get the Fever going after a mediocre first five games.

In that first game against the Mystics, McDonald was needed. Colson ended up starting, but Indiana needed another ball handler and turned to their new addition — a decision that proved to be the right one. McDonald, who had been with the Indiana Fever for less than two days, instantly had an impact. A mere 46 seconds after checking in, McDonald found Mitchell with an assist for a three. About one minute later, she had a steal — and that pattern repeated again before a layup. The newcomer’s first 3.5 minutes with Indiana sparked a 13-6 run for her team.

Throughout the night, her impact remained. McDonald ended up playing for 27 minutes — more than two other Fever starters — as it became clear she was needed. She finished with seven points, five assists and three steals in a much-needed nine-point win for the Fever.

“Just really proud of Aari for coming out and just providing some incredible minutes,” Fever wing Lexie Hull said postgame. “She was ready. She stayed ready.”

Sitting at 2-4 without a star player and a key reserve, the Indiana Fever needed a jolt — and a win. McDonald provided it and showed value right away.

“It felt good tonight to finally get back,” McDonald said. “When your number is called, you’ve got to be ready to deliver. I felt like I did just that.”

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Going forward, the Fever hope her value can hold. If they want to keep McDonald beyond her hardship deal, however, they may run into issues. Because McDonald’s hardship contract is tied to injuries, she cannot be retained once Indiana reaches 10 players. Should Cunningham or Clark return to action, McDonald must be released.

Indiana ran into a similar situation with Crystal Dangerfield a few seasons ago and was forced to watch her leave, despite her added value. Clark’s injury will be re-evaluated over the weekend, and her return could follow.

“I’ll miss this weekend’s game. But after that, it’s day by day and see how I feel and just kind of turn to the medical staff and what they think,” Clark told reporters.

Clark’s pending return puts a limit on McDonald’s time with the Fever though — if she keeps playing well — the team could waive someone else and eventually re-sign her after she clears waivers. She has more to prove to earn that distinction, but her first game certainly showed strong potential.