A No. 3 pick, four years of league experience, an All-Rookie Team nod..but somehow waived during training camp. That was Aari McDonald’s story just two weeks ago. It didn’t feel right. Aari wasn’t used to sitting on the sidelines, watching the season tip off without her. The arenas, the roar of the crowd, the feel of game day – that was her summer rhythm. But just when she was processing that harsh reality, maybe even wondering what comes next… the phone rang. It was the Indiana Fever. Just like that, McDonald’s returned back to where she belongs.
With Caitlin Clark still out nursing an injury, Indiana’s backcourt took an even bigger hit Friday night against the Sun as Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson both went down. And suddenly, it was just Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull left standing in the backcourt. The front office had no choice but to go look for options and the found the former Los Angeles Sparks guard.
They signed McDonald on Monday under an emergency hardship exception – a rule that lets teams bring in a player when they’ve got fewer than 10 game-eligible players. It turned out to be the best decision they could’ve made. “When I got the call I was very excited, very blessed,” McDonald said. “It’s a humbling experience to join a team like the Fever, and I’m excited, ready to compete and just win.” She did exactly that.
On Tuesday night, McDonald played her first game in a Fever jersey and helped snap Indiana’s three-game losing streak with a 85-76 win over the Washington Mystics. Without Clark on the floor, Indiana hadn’t won a single game. Until now.
May 6, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Aari McDonald (15) during the first quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Sure, it was a team effort. Kelsey Mitchell lit up the scoreboard with 24 points, while Lexie Hull was everywhere – dropping 14 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing 4 assists, and even swatting a block. But everyone in the building had their eyes on one person: Aari McDonald. Could she come in and fix the glaring playmaking issues that had been haunting Indiana since Clark’s absence?
Well, she didn’t just plug the gap, she energized the entire backcourt. Coming off the bench, McDonald clocked 27 crucial minutes, putting up 7 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. She led the team in assists, led in steals, and topped all bench players in production. And more importantly, she brought that spark. The offense flowed smoother, the defense looked tighter and the energy just clicked.
“It felt good tonight to finally get back,” McDonald said after the game. “When your number is called, you’ve got to be ready to deliver, and I felt like I did just that.” Now, fever fans aren’t just celebrating the win, they’re making their voices heard.
Fever fans call for Aari McDonald’s permanent spot
It didn’t take long for Indiana Fever fans to fall in love with Aari McDonald. After just one game, they’re already calling on the front office to make her stay permanent and not just asking politely, we’re talking full-blown warnings. “FO we love her- If you cut her we riot- I am so for real, do not be stupid,” one fan declared, tagging execs Amber Cox and Lin Dunn directly.
This isn’t just a dramatic overreaction, there’s history to back it up. Layshia Clarendon went from hardship contract to full-time hero with the Minnesota Lynx in 2021. Signed when the team was short-handed, Clarendon showed out immediately. Clarendon was signed for the rest of the year and averaged 10.4 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds.
Another fan chimed in, stunned by how fast McDonald got up to speed, “She needs a spot on the roster permanently. She only had one practice and ran the offense like that?!” McDonald had barely 24 hours with the team and already jumped into the top 10 in the league in a key stat – offensive fouls drawn. Three in her first eight minutes, five by the end of the night. And it’s not just fans who were wowed. Coach Stephanie White was also in all praise of the baller.
A third fan added to the buzz, suggesting, “If possible, sign her long term! She made a huge difference! If you have to get rid of #BriannaTurner to sign #AariMcDonald, do it! It would be a huge net positive! Nothing against Brianna, but just want what’s best for the team!” McDonald is a backcourt energizer – her defensive hustle and offensive tempo are exactly what Indiana needs at this moment. Turner, meanwhile, holds down the frontcourt, which just isn’t the Fever’s most urgent need right now. And given how Indiana’s guard rotation was begging for depth, it’s hard to argue with that take.
FO we love her-
If you cut her we riot- I am so for real, do not be stupid @AmberLCox & @k2indytex
— Krysta (@Krysta____) June 4, 2025
Then there was another passionate call, “She can be a backup for BOTH CC & Kelsey. AARI is the missing piece.” McDonald brings the best of both worlds – her ball-handling and court vision allow her to step into Clark’s shoes when needed, and her speed and scoring instincts make her the perfect stand-in for Kelsey Mitchell. She’s got that plug-and-play versatility that’s golden in the WNBA.
Obviously, one curious fan asked the very reasonable question, “Any reason she can’t become the 12th player on the team?” Right now, the Fever are maxed out when it comes to salary cap. WNBA teams have to manage rosters within a strict cap, and Indiana’s current contracts leave them with zero flexibility to add a 12th player on a permanent basis. That’s where hardship contracts come in..they’re temporary and don’t count against the standard 11-player max when injuries pile up. But when players return, that spot disappears unless something changes.
For now, even if Clark returns next week, we still don’t know how long Sophie Cunningham will be out. And hardship contracts only apply when two players are injured. Indiana started the season with just 11, so if only one is sidelined, it’s unclear if McDonald can stick around. Either way, this is a massive opportunity for her to make her case. Let’s see if she can force Fever FO to make space for her.
The post “Do Not Be Stupid”: Indiana Fever Fans Send Unanimous Message To Front Office After Aari McDonald’s Debut appeared first on EssentiallySports.
