Professional basketball player Aari McDonald, who plays for the Indiana Fever, will miss the entire 2025 season due to a serious foot injury.
The Indiana Fever are navigating a challenging season after season-ending injuries to guards Aari McDonald and Caitlin Clark. Clark has been out since mid-July due to a right groin injury and bone bruise, while McDonald and backup guard Sydney Colson suffered their injuries in the same game in early August.
Before her injury, McDonald had made a significant impact on the Fever, recording 4 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in 24 minutes. She sunk a 17-foot jumper to cut the deficit to 24 points before getting injured during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Mercury on August 7. McDonald was drafted No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2021 WNBA Draft and had signed a hardship contract with the Fever on June 1, 2025.
McDonald's absence leaves the Fever with only three active guards - Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, and Sophie Cunningham, who is also recovering from a season-ending knee injury. The team has been bolstered by the addition of veterans DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Sydney Colson before her injury. The core young players, including Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, provide a strong foundation.
The Fever are striving for a playoff spot, having won the Commissioner's Cup game. They will host the Chicago Sky Saturday night, with tip-off at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. However, the team's roster will be further depleted until after the matchup against the Sky, as they cannot sign any players to a hardship contract until then, leaving them with only nine players.
As they move forward, the Fever will likely rely on increased roles for remaining guards like Kelsey Mitchell and other veterans on the roster. The coach Stephanie White has emphasized the team's resilience and fighting spirit despite these injuries. The team's adjustments are aimed at continuing their playoff push in a season characterized by injuries to key players.
Meanwhile, the Fever may look to potential replacement options such as Zia Cooke, who was drafted No. 10 overall by the Sparks in the 2023 WNBA Draft and is available for hardship contracts. Cooke spent just under three full seasons with the LA Sparks and the Seattle Storm before being waived this week.
McDonald shot 42.9 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from beyond the arc during her stint with the Fever. She scored a career-high 27 points against Phoenix on July 30. Despite her injury, McDonald's impact on the team will not be forgotten, and the Fever will look to rally in the remaining games of the season.
The Fever are searching for potential replacements like Zia Cooke, who was drafted in the WNBA and is available for hardship contracts. Kelsey Mitchell and other veterans might receive increased roles due to McDonald's injury. The Fever will miss McDonald's shooting abilities, as she averaged 42.9% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc with the team. Despite the current challenges, the Fever continue to fight for a playoff spot in the NBA or WNBA sports seasons.
