Short-handed Fever sign G Aari McDonald

Field Level Media|published: 06/02/2025, 2:22pm EDT

May 6, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Aari McDonald (15) during the third quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Indiana Fever signed former lottery pick Aari McDonald on Monday via an emergency hardship exception.

The 5-foot-6 guard was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream and was runnerup for the WNBA's 2021 Rookie of the Year honor.

She averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 116 games (29 starts) for the Dream (2021-23) and Los Angeles Sparks (2024). McDonald spent training camp with the Sparks, but she was placed on waivers two days before this season began.

McDonald, 26, arrives as star Fever guard Caitlin Clark remains sidelined with a left quadriceps injury.

Veteran guards Sydney Colson (leg) and Sophie Cunningham (ankle) also are dealing with recent injuries for Indiana (2-4), which takes a three-game losing streak into Tuesday's home game against the Washington Mystics.

--Field Level Media