The Indiana Fever clawed back with two consecutive victories in Caitlin Clark’s absence. Standing with a balanced win-loss position at 4-4 so far, the latest athlete to join the Fever in Aari McDonald has been instrumental in securing a 2-0 position for the roster. However, with a stupendous performance to keep everyone on their toes, can rookie Makayla Timpson replace the newcomer?
With several teams waiving off players mid-season, Timpson, who has struggled to come off the bench, can be on Indiana Fever HC, Stephanie White’s radar. While Phoenix Mercury waived off hardship contract athlete Haley Jones after one week, will the rookie suffer same fate at the hands of Stephanie White, who might consider keeping McDonald in the roster instead?
National analyst, Rosalina Lee suggested at the possibility of White cutting of Timpson from the active roster. Lee said, “If you cut Makayla Timpson, I think there be riots in the streets because Makayla Timpson is the future.” The rookie joined the Indiana Fever as the 19th overall pick this season.
Moreover, the WNBA is gradually turning into a youth-centric league. As teams focus more on inducting younger players in the locker room, waiving off a promising rookie like Timpson can have adverse effects for Indiana Fever in the coming years. It will drastically affect the team’s fan base and viewership.
From the orange carpet looks to regular season performances, each rookie carried their own fanbases into the league, and the respective franchises. This is unlike last season when the media attention was completely focused on Caitlin Clark. However, this season boasts of rookies like Paige Bueckers and Hailey Van Lith, who bring in more eyeballs to the league.
And the drastic impact has been visible. With skyrocketing ticket sales percentages and houseful arenas, the 2025 W has been successfully received by fans and audiences so far, thanks to the young athletes. Moreover, Lee further expanded on the thought and gave a glimpse into the locker room of the Washington Mystics.
“The Washington Mystics have Kiki Iriafen, who right now is the front runner for rookie of the year,” Rosalina Lee began. “Sonia Citron, who last week was front runner for rookie of the year, Lucy Olsen is also making a positive impression and Georgia Amoore, who unfortunately is out. But when she goes in, I’m telling you, this team, they’re going to be looking good.”
As one of the most energetically charged teams in the league, the Mystics boast of a young roster. The no.4 ranked team in the Eastern Conference division has an ability for fast layups, and an efficient offensive system. Moreover, the rookies are a threat to the opponents. Kiki has successfully averaged 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assist so far whereas Citron has dished over 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists so far.
“The rest of their roster is pretty young too outside of Brittney Sykes, who is 31; Who is also having a great season by the way, definitely at the free throw line a lot. But she’s still doing a great job leading this team,” Lee added. Despite a challenging start to the season, the Mystics achieved a season high against a Connecticut Sun where the team made 104 points, with 57.1 shooting percentage, and 56 points in the paint.
The team has been led by veterans in Brittney Sykes, Stephanie Dolson, and Shakira Austen. Sykes has scored 20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists for the roster so far. And though Timpson has not been provided with ample playing time on the hardwood so far, the ACC Most Improved Player has recorded 47 double-doubles during her stint in the Florida University and is a powerhouse of talent that can work wonders for the roster.
Though developing new players also indicates dealing with more fouls, will HC Stephanie White & Co. take the calculated risk? Will she keep Timpson in the roster? As chances of Aari McDonald leaving the roster inch closer every day, is White prepared to say goodbye to the guard yet?
Aari McDonald leads Indiana Fever in Caitlin Clark’s absence
She is a true point guard.” Stephanie White had addressed Aari McDonald to the media when she signed her under the hardship contract. But little did White and her the roster know what the athlete was capable of. She stepped into Clark’s shoes and set the team rolling.
Jun 3, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) celebrates during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smth- INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images
McDonald came off the bench in her first match with the Fever and delivered an astounding performance with 7 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. She defended Mystics veterans and her clean defenses bolstered the team towards their first win after Clark was sidelined on the bench.
And after her second consecutive performance with Indiana Fever, Aari McDonald is a threat to her opponents. National analyst, Rosalina Lee pointed at her abilities and said, “She can score in the paint. She can score from outside of the arc. She’s just a really great passer.” And boy is she right!
McDonald has become a lucky charm for the Fever roster as they grabbed another victory against Chicago Sky. Her flawless three 3-pointers propelled the team towards a lead in the very first quarter. Moreover, she finished with 12 points and 3 steals for Indiana Fever. That’s surprisingly more than Aliyah Boston, who dished only 11 points.
And while Phoenix Mercury waived off Haley Jones within a week of signing the athlete, will Aari McDonald suffer the same fate once Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham return to the Fever’s roster? That remains to be seen. But as an unstoppable force on the hardwood, every team is eyeing Aari McDonald once she’s up for grabs.
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