After the 2025 season’s impressive gameplay, the Indiana Fever will look to improve their chances for the title in the upcoming season. They could easily do so with a healthy roster, which was a key issue in the previous season. Mid-season acquisitions like Aari McDonald, Odyssey Sims, and Chloe Bibby did their part perfectly to keep the side competitive in the league.
While Sims emerges as a prime target for two WNBA teams in free agency, all eyes will be on McDonald, who is in action at the Unrivaled league season 2. But the league’s reports are not encouraging.
Aari McDonald’s Injury Causing Tensions
The 27-year-old guard became an instant hit on the Fever team following her playmaking skills and clutch baskets during the regular season games. Combining well with Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, the former Sparks star looked like a perfect backup for Caitlin Clark. But an injury cut short her run with the Fever team.
Ahead of her Unrivaled debut, the former Arizona player showed positive signs of recovery. He even shared her excitement to be back on the floor. Sadly, on her debut, McDonald exited the game in the third quarter after she re-aggravated her right foot. While it was a concerning sign, she provided another positive update for fans.
Had a little scare last night.
— Aari McDonald (@McdonaldAari2) January 6, 2026
I’m all good yall😊
Since her injury, the player has yet to set foot on the floor, as Breeze BC is playing with a five-player rotation in the season. Importantly, the franchise chose not to use another replacement, which could be a good sign for McDonald and Fever fans.
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Though the 2012 WNBA champions have many other options in the market, McDonald fits the Fever front office’s needs with her familiarity, wage demands, and on-court usage. Moreover, an analyst claims that the player is a ‘must-have’ for the Indiana team to keep Clark happy.
Aari McDonald Could Ease Pressure Off Caitlin Clark
Although the Fever franchise is setting its eyes on the big fish in the market and GM Amber Cox mentioned that Kelsey Mitchell is the front office’s primary target to re-sign in the offseason, the side would look to build around its core with ‘viable’ options – both financially and quality-wise.
The Athletic insider Sabreena Merchant has the first candidate for the guard position: Aari McDonald. “The defensive identity they leaned into with Odyssey Sims, with the replacement players they had to bring in like Aari McDonald and stuff, like that’s just a different team than the one with Caitlin Clark leading at point guard,” Merchant wrote.
the perfect missing piece.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 4, 2025
during our five-game winning streak, Aari McDonald has been a driving force, averaging 14.0 points per game, including a career-high 27-point performance against the Mercury, as she continues to step up when it matters most. pic.twitter.com/GkPm5nUMOl
Playing in 20 games for the Fever in the 2025 season, the 5-foot-6 guard averaged around 10 points, five assists, and three rebounds, which are her career best stats, along with improved efficiency. Keeping CC’s USA Basketball duty and tough 2026 schedule in mind, HC Stephanie White would prefer a strong backup.