Caitlin Clark Replacement Reveals What Made Her 'Anxious' in Fever Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 12:35 AM ET

It was quite a few days for Aari McDonald, the former No. 3 pick of Atlanta who was shuffled off to L.A. last year and finally, rather unceremoniously, cut by the Sparks just before the start of the WNBA season. With the injuries piling up for the Fever, though, Indiana was desperate for a player who could fill in at the point for Caitlin Clark, and made the decision to add McDonald on Monday on a hardship deal.

On Tuesday she was not only in Indianapolis and suited up in a Fever jersey, she was also on the floor. For 27 minutes.

Yes, coach Stephanie White was eager enough to have a true point guard back on the floor to put McDonald into the game for 27 minutes, during which she scored seven points with five assists and three steals, finishing with a plus-6 on the box score. The Fever stopped their three-game losing streak and beat Washington, 85-76, in the game.

McDonald was all smiles after the game, happy to show once again that she belongs in the league.

"When you’re number’s called, you have to be ready to deliver and I felt like I did just that. Obviously, I am not satisfied but grateful we got the win, though," she said.

She was officially signed on Monday morning, and had precious little time to figure out the heads and tails of the Fever offense. She hunkered down with game film, though.

"OMG, it was a lot, that part made me anxious," McDonald said. "You know, just coming in, not knowing the system, not really playing with the players but, yeah, it was a lot of film. A lot of film sessions by myself, rewatching stuff, and a lot of film, just asking questions. I feel like people don’t ask enough questions. So just being a sponge, these last couple days, and I think that helped me tonight."

McDonald admitted that the last couple of weeks being unemployed was rough on her. But she has tried to keep her perspective, and she remains hopeful that she can translate her current opportunity into a future job--with Indiana or elsewhere in the WNBA.

"For me, these past couple of weeks been tough," she said. "I’ve just been working out, staying ready for when my number’s called. Honestly, just being grounded—not just basketball stuff, but little things, like meditate. Making sure I stay in myself, never get too high, never get too low. Anything can happen."

The Fever, now 3-4, will face Chicago on the road on Saturday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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