Just a couple of days before the All-Star Weekend, when the Dallas Wings hosted the Indiana Fever, the crowd was loud and the game was full of energy. Of course, with the Fever, came the then-rookie Caitlin Clark, for the very first time in their seasonal clash. But when the game ended, the College Park Center was filled with much more energy. Reason? The now reigning league ROTY, despite taking a 101-93 loss, etched her name in the history books with 19 assists on the night, highest for any player ever in the league’s 28 years. Fast forward to this season, when Clark has held up her heavy crown with just as much poise, there are more reasons to expect this Dallas Wings vs the Indiana Fever first meeting of the season to be everything fiery, spicy, and more. 

This time, not only will the point guard face Arike Ogunbowale who she believes is “the best one-on-one player in the league” but also her NCAA nemesis Paige Bueckers. The stakes are only higher as both the Wings and the Fever could use a much-needed boost after going through a rollercoaster of a season, mostly handling them defeats. But there’s one issue. Although Paige Bueckers is up and out, trying to lead rookie WNBA HC Chris Koclanes’ squad, Fever’s injury report isn’t as clear. In her last win against the Seattle Storm, with just 12 seconds left, HC Stephanie White took a reset timeout to practice the situation for future use. However, with Aliyah Boston throwing the inbounding ball to Clark and the reigning league ROTY running behind her, Clark twisted her ankle.

After the game ended, she was sent straight for an MRI for what turned out to be a groin injury. Without her, Indiana is coming off a forgetful defeat at home vs the Sparks. But just like Debbie Antonelli once said, “When you’re going against Indiana, the strategy is always to shut down Caitlin Clark.” Now while the No. 22 is still on a day-to-day list and her availability is still hanging by a thread, Koclanes doesn’t want to risk nothing if she finds her way to the floor even if on limited minutes and disrupts his entire gameplan. In fact, he’s all-set to face no one else but CC at the fifth position for the Fever even if it causes a stir in his locker room.

In the latest development surrounding the locker room, national reporter for Dallas, Joey Mistretta, shared a clip on X. The caption read, “Chris Koclanes says the Wings will prepare as if Caitlin Clark will play tomorrow. If she is ruled out, then Dallas will ‘adjust‘.” This admission from the Wings HC comes just two days before their mouth-watering clash with the Fever. In the attached video, the reporter asked, “What goes into preparing when she might not play?” Well, the HC was so obvious that he even completed the question for the reporter as he revealed:

“You go in preparing for her to be there. And then you adjust accordingly. So, I know they just signed Aari McDonald back, and we’ll see a lot of her tonight. So, we’ll take a good look at and what it would look like if she doesn’t play for us? We would have the benefit of watching them play tonight without her. But you go in preparing for Caitlin to be on the floor then you adjust.” As simple as that. The gameplan is to prepare for her, because anyone else could be easily handled.

While Aari McDonald has displayed elite playmaking and is also good on the other side of the ball as a replacement joinee with the Fever, Chris Koclanes is more afraid of facing the sophomore athlete. He would rather prepare his locker room in a manner that can handle or even measure up against Caitlin Clark. Meanwhile, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White confirmed Clark’s injury.

She revealed that the team was monitoring Clark’s health before ruling her out. The player was immediately sent for an MRI, though early results showed no definitive strain, prompting a cautious, day-to-day approach. Moreover, IndyStar sports reporter Chloe Peterson broke the news a few hours later with the latest development concerning Clark’s groin injury.

While Caitlin Clark is still a part of the active roster, signing the promising point guard Aari McDonald can only help take the load off of the No. 22. And the point guard is all grateful for the opportunity given.

Aari McDonald carves a permanent spot in the Indiana Fever, as Caitlin Clark races against the time to get fit

“I’m so excited to rejoin the Fever. Although my time with the team was brief, it immediately felt like the place to be,” Aari McDonald said after re-signing for Indiana. “I’m grateful for the warm welcome from the coaches, teammates, and fans, and most of all, I thank God for the incredible journey I’m on.”

McDonald found her way back to Indiana after her replacement contract ended a few days ago. The unrestricted free agent was first signed by the Fever under a hardship emergency contract due to injuries to Sydney Colson, Caitlin Clark, and Sophie Cunningham. And she did a very solid job, largely coming off the bench, and immediately became one of the fan favorites. In her 3 games then, she averaged 11 points and 3 assists per game for the Fever.

As McDonald gears up for her second showdown against the Wings, can the potential star turn the tables for the Indiana Fever? Or will Clark’s absence loom heavy on the rebuilding roster? With the tremendous roster shake-up, things can go either way for the Indiana-based franchise. Guess we’ll have to wait and watch.