The Indiana Fever experienced two different seasons in 2025. During the off-season, the franchise was most hyped up with high-profile signings, while in the actual regular season, injuries to multiple star players crippled the team, forcing them to take help from the players signed on a temporary basis—on a seven-day hardship contract.
While Fever’s injury-laden season makes it the worst three months for the fans, it also exposes the unavoidable reality of the league.
Indiana Fever Signed Six Players On Hardship Contract
From the start of the 2025 season, HC Stephanie White hardly had a smile on her face. Injuries, losses and criticism put her under immense pressure that even a win over the bottom-placed team made White emotional.
While many fans trolled her for crying out for a win over the Connecticut Sun, sadly, it highlighted the situation her franchise has been going through. The team lost Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson in one game. While they were getting through the ‘double-injury blow’, Sophie Cunningham was next to join the medical room.
The front office worked tirelessly to find potent replacements on short notice. Aari McDonald and Chloe Bibby impressed enough to earn extended contracts, but once again, injuries limited their participation in games.
we have signed Odyssey Sims to a third 7-day hardship contract. pic.twitter.com/0GaY2PObw3
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 24, 2025
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After 37 games, the team has only seven active players on the roster, out of 12 who played in the Indiana franchise’s preseason games. Since mid-June, the franchise has used hardship contracts to stay competitive in the league. The players representing the Fever team on hardship contracts played on 56 days (eight hardship contracts signed) out of 101 days in the 2025 season.
After these struggles, the eighth-place finish seems a significant success for the’ championship contender’ team.
Indiana Fever Expecting More From Mid-Season Acquisitions
With Caitlin Clark’s return still questionable, Stephanie White is relying on experienced guards, signed on hardship contracts, to provide some offensive firepower to the side. This allows White to keep Kelsey Mitchell at the shooting guard position, where the former Ohio State star makes the most impact.
Also, Aliyah Boston is taking over more duties for the shorthanded team, involving her more in the passing and playmaking. As for the players on hardship contracts, Aerial Powers is looking to fit in Sophie Cunningham’s role as a winger, while HC White is impressed with new addition Shey Peddy, and will look to replace Odyssey Sims as the starting point guard.
Though the system worked well against lower-ranked teams, the side will hope to get CC back in the lineup to put everyone back in their preferred positions and maximize every player’s output. With the current update, the star playmaker could be joining the side soon.