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Fever Make Major Roster Move Amid Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham Injuries

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 10:28 AM ET

With injuries to three key players, the Indiana Fever had to use the WNBA’s seldom-used emergency hardship provision to fill out its roster.

With reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark sidelined for at least two weeks (possibly up to a month according to some speculative reports), and backup guards Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson also out with varying injuries, the Fever’s depth at guard is being tested just a handful of games into the season.

But on Monday, the team announced it had signed a temporary fill-in under the league’s emergency hardship, which gives teams a short-term roster exemption that allows them to sign an additional player while its injured players are out.

The Fever announced the signing of ex-Atlanta Dream and Los Angeles Sparks guard Aari McDonald, a former WNBA All-Rookie Team selection, on Monday morning.

we have signed Aari McDonald via emergency hardship exception.

welcome to Indy, Aari

more info: https://t.co/w4mpT6JOSy pic.twitter.com/MXynOzsa2s
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 2, 2025

The 26-year-old Arizona alum was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft. She spent her first three seasons with the Dream before joining the Sparks last season.

Appeared in 116 games, McDonald has averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 assists, two rebounds, and one steal per game while playing 21.6 minutes per night.

“I think best player available at that position who can add value on both sides of the floor,” Fever coach Stephanie White told reporters of what she was looking for in a potential new rosteer addition. “Certainly, we need to have someone who can add value on the defensive end, we've got to have somebody who can navigate and help us get into offense, handle the ball.

“The goal would be to get everybody back to their natural positions if we can. But at the same time, we can't control everything, so we'll get the best player that we can get.”

McDonald was a star for the Wildcats during her three seasons, averaging 21.9 points per game along with 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.5 steals, and she was a two-time WBCA All-American, second-team All-American, and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a three-time All-Pac 12 and Pac-12 All-Defensive team selection.

She helped lead Arizona to a runner-up finish in the NCAA Tournament during her senior season (2021) and an NIT championship during her first year with the program (2019).

McDonald was also the 2024 WNBL scoring champion and made the All-WNBL second team.

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

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