Fever's Aari McDonald good fortune continues in Caitlin Clark's injury absence

If Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham had never gotten injured early in the season, the Indiana Fever would've never had Aari McDonald.

They only signed the lefty point guard initially under the WNBA's hardship rule. Injuries to Clark, Cunningham and Sydney Colson left the Fever below the roster minimum, so they could temporarily add McDonald to the team, and in that short stint, she played well.

Soon after McDonald's forced release upon the injury returns, the Fever chose to sign her to a standard contract for the rest of the season. And it's been exactly what they needed.

Clark has been hurt again, and McDonald is standing it at point guard and performing admirably.

She put up another strong game Friday night in a win over the Wings, finishing with 15 points and six assists while shooting 4-for-6 from 3-point range.

McDonald likely would've signed with some team at some point this season, even if it wasn't the Fever. As a former first-round pick with some experience, she's an easy plug-and-play option.

The former Arizona star has proven for Indiana that she can be more than just a fill-in, though.

The Fever have won multiple games because of big plays by McDonald.

Her role shifts when Clark returns eventually, of course, but she has made herself indispensable. 

It's quite the return to the spotlight for McDonald, who was once a March Madness legend with the Wildcats but never quite translated that into the NBA.

Now, in the thick of a playoff race, McDonald is hooping. The Fever certainly are fortunate they took a chance on her in the first place, because now, they could hardly manage without her.

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