With Caitlin Clark sidelined, the Indiana Fever were hit with gut-wrenching injury news today.
On Friday, the Indiana Fever announced guard Aari McDonald will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season after suffering a broken bone in her right foot.
Just three quarters after Syd Colson went down with an ACL injury, McDonald sustained the injury during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Mercury on August 7.
Up until the injury, McDonald recorded four points, two rebounds, three assists, and one block in 24 minutes. A minute prior, McDonald sunk a 17-foot jumper to cut the deficit to 24 points. Ultimately, the Mercury came out victorious against the Fever, 95-60.
Just under the eight minute mark in the final quarter, McDonald was seen holding her right ankle after a drive and kick to Lexie Hull. She even stayed on the court the next possession, coming up with a steal from Sami Whitcomb. From there, McDonald was replaced by Kelsey Mitchell with 7:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Fever lose Aari McDonald, Syd Colson to injuries
McDonald, 26, eventually found a home with the Indiana Fever after a rocky start. Drafted No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2021 WNBA Draft, the former Arizona standout was waived by the Los Angeles Sparks after a 2024 stint with the team. On June 1, McDonald initially signed a hardship contract with the Fever after Clark suffered a quad injury.
Waived again by the Fever on June 16, McDonald emerged as a fan favorite, averaging 11 points, 1.3 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in her stint prior with the Fever. Signed to a rest-of-season contract with Indiana on June 25, the guard more than proved her worth to the Fever loyal. Although Clark was deemed irreplaceable, McDonald established herself as a mainstay with Indiana.
Starting alongside Clark for three games, McDonald emerged as an additional ball-handler, with exceptional speed and pace. Leading the Fever in their playoff push, McDonald showcased her playmaking, on-ball defense, and off-ball shooting abilities. Starting 13 of 20 games for the Fever, McDonald fit head coach Stephanie White’s system seamlessly, and became the unexpected hero.
Only last week, Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell told Ballislife McDonald is their “blessing in disguise.”
In 20 games played for Indiana, McDonald averaged 9.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals. During that period, she shot 42.9 percent from the field, and 30.8 percent from beyond the arc. In fact, she scored a career-high 27 points against Phoenix on July 30. With a shorthanded roster of just nine players, McDonald was vital in the Fever’s 107-101 victory over the Mercury with 10 second quarter points.
Leading the Fever to a five game win steak from the end of July to early August, the Fever guard averaged 14 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists during that span.
What’s Next for the Indiana Fever?
This is a critical loss for the Fever, who remain without star point guard Caitlin Clark. Limited to just 13 games on the season, Clark has battled quad and groin injuries, which further limited guard depth. Now with Colson and McDonald out for the year, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, and Sophie Cunningham persist as the only active guards on the Fever roster.
According to ESPN’s Alex Philippou, the Fever cannot sign any players today. Per league rules, players cannot be signed to a hardship contract until after Saturday’s matchup against the Chicago Sky. As a result, the Fever will have only nine players available. This leaves Indiana in crisis mode, given there are no healthy point guards for the Fever. With no timetable available for Clark’s return, dark times have arrived in Indy as injuries continue to pile up.
There are several guards available for hardship contracts, including Zia Cooke. Drafted No. 10 overall by the Sparks in the 2023 WNBA Draft, Cooke spent just under three full seasons with the LA and the Seattle Storm. This week, she was part of the blockbuster trade that sent Brittney Sykes from the Washington Mystics to Seattle. With the move, she was waived.
17-14, the Fever were crowned winners of the Commissioner’s Cup game, and continue to vie for a playoff spot. Indiana will next host the Chicago Sky Saturday night, with tip-off at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Follow Sara Jane Gamelli on X @SaraJGamelli.
