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REPORT: Caitlin Clark Temporary Replacement With Indiana Fever Is Cameron Brink's Ex-Teammate 1 Aari McDonald (left) temporarily replaces Caitlin Clark (right) as she continues her recovery. Photo credits: Imagn

Report: Caitlin Clark Temporary Replacement With Indiana Fever Is Cameron Brink’s Ex-Teammate

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 8:29 AM ET

As Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark continues on her recovery, the team has taken advantage of a league option to sign an emergency roster addition.

In an announcement they made, the indian fever made it official that they are signing Aari McDonald as an emergency guard through the WNBA emergency hardship exception.

From the Fever announcement: “Over the course of her four-year WNBA career, McDonald averaged 8.6 points per game, 2.8 assists per game, and 2.0 rebounds per game. McDonald spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Sparks where she averaged 8.7 points per game, appearing in 26 games total. Drafted No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2021 WNBA Draft, McDonald averaged 6.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30 games and was subsequently named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. During the 2023 season, McDonald helped Atlanta qualify for their first playoff berth since 2018.”

The WNBA emergency hardship exception allows teams to sign a player immediately if their roster falls below 10 game-eligible players at any point during the season. This rule ensures that teams can maintain competitive lineups despite injuries or other unforeseen circumstances.

Players signed under this exception typically receive short-term contracts, often lasting seven days, to temporarily fill roster gaps. The exception is designed to provide relief for teams struggling with depth issues, allowing them to bring in reinforcements without waiting for injured players to recover.

The Indiana Fever became eligible for the emergency hardship exception after multiple injuries left them with only eight available players. Star guard Caitlin Clark was sidelined due to a left quadriceps strain, while Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson also suffered injuries during a recent game against the Connecticut Sun.

Caitlin Clark Absence Brings Fluctuation to Ticket Prices

Caitlin Clark’s absence due to a left quadriceps strain is already affecting the WNBA, with ticket prices and television ratings taking a noticeable hit. Her recent game against the New York Liberty drew 2.22 million viewers, making it the second-most-watched WNBA game on CBS, peaking at 3.24 million.

May 28, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) takes photos of her teammates warming up before the game against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images

The Fever’s previous matchup against the Chicago Sky, featuring Clark and her rival Angel Reese, holds the top spot with 2.25 million viewers. With Clark expected to miss at least four games, the league’s broadcast partners, including CBS and NBA TV, are bracing for a decline in viewership.

The impact is also evident in ticket sales, as prices for Indiana Fever road games have dropped significantly. The Fever’s upcoming game against the Washington Mystics saw ticket prices fall 47% after Clark’s injury announcement. Similarly, the Fever’s June 7 matchup against the Chicago Sky, originally moved to the larger United Center to accommodate demand, has seen ticket prices plummet 71%.

May 28, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) signs autographs for fans before the game against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images

Despite the setbacks, the Fever remain focused on managing Caitlin Clark’s absence while maintaining their competitive edge.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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