No Caitlin Clark? No problem! That was the story on Tuesday night as the Indiana Fever bounced back in a big way against the Washington Mystics. After dropping two straight without their talisman, who is sidelined with a left quad injury. The Fever finally found their rhythm, securing a crucial win in front of 16,000 energized fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was a much-needed victory under tough circumstances, and it wouldn’t have been possible without a clutch performance from Clark’s newest teammate.

When Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham went down against the Connecticut Sun, the Fever found themselves in all sorts of trouble. They were down to bare bones when it came to backcourt depth, and something had to be done. In came Aari McDonald via the emergency hardship exception, and she wasted no time making an impact.

The former number 3 overall pick brought a spark with her athleticism, defensive hustle, and command of the offense. Coming off the bench, she logged 27 impactful minutes, racking up 7 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals to help lift the Fever to an 85–76 win over the Mystics. But her performance raises a big question among fans. With Caitlin Clark expected to return soon, will Aari still have a role on the roster? One WNBA analyst has weighed in with her take on the situation!

Rosalina Lee shared her thoughts on this very topic during a segment on her YouTube channel. Addressing McDonald’s potential long-term fit with the Fever, she said, “Is this someone that you want on the Indiana Fever long-term? Definitely not right now. I mean, we’ll see what her performance is and how she does.”

Lee’s cautious take reflects the uncertainty of McDonald’s role, but it contrasts with the optimism from Fever fans on social media.

Under the WNBA’s hardship exception, Aari McDonald’s stint with the Fever is likely to be temporary. Operating under a tight $1.507 million salary cap with just about $43,000 left to spare, according to Her Hoop Stats, the Indiana Fever need to maintain an 11-player roster to avoid salary cap penalties when key players like Clark or others such as Sophie Cunningham or Sydney Colson rejoin the lineup.

Once Caitlin Clark or any of the other sidelined players return, Indiana will need to trim the roster to comply with the league’s 12-player limit, or 11 in their case, to stay under the salary cap. So, there’s a good chance McDonald’s time in Indy may be short-lived.

As Lee pointed out, it’s only been one game, and McDonald will have another chance to prove herself against the Chicago Sky. If she keeps performing at a high level, the Fever might have to start thinking seriously about keeping her on the roster. But that brings up the big question: who will make way for Aari? Let’s analyze it!

Who will make way for Caitlin Clark’s newest teammate if she continues to perform?

A lot of people think Sydney Colson could be the one to go, especially since Aari McDonald took over her minutes late in Tuesday’s game. Colson played 16 minutes and scored 7 points before McDonald stepped in to finish the job. But with Caitlin Clark set to return soon, does that mean Colson is the obvious cut? Not necessarily!

The Fever might not need to cut a guard at all! Instead, someone like Brianna Turner could be on the chopping block instead. The seven-year veteran has barely played this season, appearing in just four of seven games and logging under two minutes in Tuesday’s win. Statistically, she’s made almost no impact either. 1 point, no made field goals, and just 3 rebounds. While she provides depth behind Aliyah Boston and Damiris Dantas, her limited role makes her a likely candidate if Indiana needs to clear space.

The WNBA’s hardship exception allows teams to sign players when injuries leave them with fewer than 10 active players. With Caitlin Clark sidelined due to a left quadriceps strain and Sophie Cunningham out with an ankle injury, the Indiana Fever were down to just nine healthy players. To address this, the team signed Aari McDonald on an emergency hardship contract, ensuring they met the league’s minimum roster requirements.

All eyes will be on Aari McDonald as she takes the floor against the Sky. Another strong showing could force the Fever’s hand in keeping her beyond the hardship window. But that begs the question, who makes way? Could it be Sydney Colson? Or will it be Brianna Turner? Stay tuned to find out!