Indiana Fever Sign Aari McDonald on Hardship Exception Amid Multiple Injuries

The Indiana Fever have signed guard Aari McDonald using the WNBA's emergency hardship exception due to multiple injuries in their backcourt, including the sidelining of star Caitlin Clark with a left quadriceps strain. The hardship exception allows teams to sign players immediately when they have fewer than 10 game-eligible players available. McDonald, a four-year WNBA veteran who played the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Sparks and recently signed with Beijing Great Wall, expressed excitement and humility about joining the Fever and is preparing by studying game film. With Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and Sydney Colson injured, the Fever currently have limited healthy guards, making McDonald's addition critical as they try to end a three-game losing streak. McDonald brings speed, competitiveness, and experience to a Fever team that stands at 2-4 this season. Teammate Kelsey Mitchell highlighted the positive impact McDonald is expected to have on the team.