Aari

McDonald

After averaging 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in four games while filling in for the injured for the season Sydney Colson (left knee), Aari McDonald (right foot), and rehabbing star Caitlin Clark (right groin and left ankle), the Fever signed Sims to a third 7-day contract. This is the final 7-day contract she can sign before she’s eligible for a rest-of-season contract.

Tuesday night was a difficult evening for Boston who scored in double figures, but struggled defensively and was limited as a playmaker, something that the Fever desperately need being down all three of their point guards in Caitlin Clark, Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson. Three of Boston’s five made field goals were on offensive rebounds. She cleaned up two of her own shots in addition to a miss from Natasha Howard. While Boston struggled defending Li Yueru on post-ups, she was able to defend the Wings’ front court well on drives to the basket. She picked up two blocks with one coming against Li and another on a shot from German center Luisa Geiselsöder.

Already playing without Caitlin Clark, the Fever lost guards Sydney Colson (knee) and Aari McDonald (foot) to season-ending injuries during Thursday’s loss to the Mercury. Per WNBA rules, Indiana had to wait until after Saturday’s win over the Sky to sign a guard to a hardship contract. On Sunday, the team announced that it had signed Sims. The veteran guard began this season as a starter with the Sparks before leaving the team for personal reasons in June. Waived on July 2, Sims has played 11 seasons in the WNBA, averaging 11.2 points and 3.8 assists per game. She’ll figure prominently in the Fever rotation until Clark returns from her strained groin.

The injury-hit Fever have undergone another starting lineup change, this time with Hull replacing the injured Aari McDonald. McDonald suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Mercury on Thursday, and Sydney Colson (knee) was also lost for the season in Thursday’s contest. Including Caitlin Clark’s absence (groin), the Fever are without a natural starting point guard for Saturday’s game against the Sky and will likely rely on Kelsey Mitchell to be the main initiator on offense as they look to avoid a third straight loss.

Clark, the first-overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, will miss her seventh consecutive game on Saturday as she continues to recover from a groin injury. The Fever’s frontcourt will also be without Sydney Colson (knee) and Aari McDonald (ankle), after the two guards suffered season-ending injuries in Thursday’s loss to the Mercury. With Indiana down three point guards, fantasy managers could expect to see more minutes for Lexie Hull off the bench, while Kelsey Mitchell potentially claims the lead ball-handling role for the time being.

The Fever, without Caitlin Clark as she recovers from a strained groin, lost two rotation guards during Thursday’s loss to the Mercury. Sydney Colson suffered a torn ACL during the first half, while McDonald broke a bone in her right foot during the fourth quarter. Due to Indiana’s lack of healthy point guards, Kelsey Mitchell will have to take on more of those responsibilities in the short term. Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham will also take on more prominent roles, and the Fever signing a free agent guard or two would be unsurprising. Per WNBA rules, Indiana cannot sign a player to a hardship deal until after they’ve played their next game, Saturday against Chicago.

McDonald has filled in admirably for the injured Caitlin Clark, scoring at least nine points in six straight appearances. She isn’t going to provide similar scoring, but the former first-round pick’s play is one reason why the Fever have managed not just to stay afloat but thrive. Tuesday’s defeat ended a five-game win streak, with McDonald being the starting point guard for each. With Clark not having a timeline for return, fantasy managers needing a guard should consider adding McDonald. She’s rostered in just 28.2 percent of ESPN leagues.

Clark will miss her sixth straight game on Friday. Despite her latest injury-related absences, the Fever have managed to play well. Indiana has gone 3-2 since Clark suffered her groin injury on July 15 against the Sun, which includes a current three-game win streak. Aari McDonald will likely remain in Indiana’s starting unit on Friday, as she looks to help the Fever extend their streak to four games.

McDonald had an impressive showing in her ninth start of the season. She was highly productive on the offensive end, needing just 11 shot attempts to break the 20-point mark for the first time as a member of the Fever en route to registering a season-high in points. McDonald shined from behind the three-point line and was particularly lethal in the second quarter, where she scored 12 of the Fever’s 35 points. McDonald has found a nice role in Indiana and should continue to produce good numbers while filling in for Caitlin Clark (groin) in the Fever’s starting lineup.

McDonald started again for the injured Caitlin Clark (groin) and put together another solid performance. Her final line wasn’t spectacular, but her efficient shooting, reliable playmaking, and ability to generate steals to jumpstart an effective Indiana transition offense were important on Sunday. McDonald’s role as a scorer has deteriorated from her first month with the team, when she consistently scored in double figures. Yet, she did manage to get out of single digits against the Sky on Sunday and will continue to play a key role for Chicago while in the starting unit.