Strange moment in Fever-Sky game.
Bizarre Moment Takes Place Minutes Before Sky–Fever Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
At 13-12 entering Sunday’s game against the Chicago Sky, the Indiana Fever’s season has been defined by peaks and valleys, largely because injuries have disrupted their backcourt rotations.
Star guard Caitlin Clark has missed significant time with groin and quad issues, limiting her to just 13 appearances so far, while veteran Sophie Cunningham also has battled an ankle sprain, missing five games earlier in the year.
In response, the Fever made a roster shakeup on June 25, waiving 16‑year vet DeWanna Bonner and signing point guard Aari McDonald.
Now, after 14 games (seven starts), McDonald has established herself as a fan favorite, averaging 8.3 points, 4.4 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 25.4 minutes per game.
Yet on Sunday, an odd technical glitch stole headlines.
As the Jumbotron cycled through the Fever’s starting lineup, every player’s name was paired with her photo, except McDonald’s.
no pic of aari? 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Hk6UF4J2A0
— Claire: Caitlin Clark Style (@caitlinclarksty) July 27, 2025
At just 26 years old, McDonald brings a decorated pedigree to Indiana.
A two‑time First‑Team WBCA All‑American and 2021 Pac‑12 Player of the Year for the Arizona Wildcats, she twice earned Pac‑12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard in 2020.
Selected third overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream, she earned All‑Rookie Team honors and later suited up for the Los Angeles Sparks before joining Indiana this season.
Throughout June and July, McDonald has been lauded as the Fever’s steady hand, having helped the team stay above .500 while without Clark.
Coming into Sunday, the Fever had gone 8-6 with McDonald in the lineup, keeping Indiana afloat in the playoff hunt.
Related: Lexie Hull Shares Honest Take on Playing Without Caitlin Clark
Related: New DeWanna Bonner Update Emerges After Release From Indiana Fever
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
