Aari McDonald can’t seem to get a break. The Fever guard signed with Unrivaled to show that her hurt foot had healed and that she was ready to play in the WNBA again. Instead, the same injury that ended her season in August happened again, putting an end to what was supposed to be her comeback tour. This couldn’t have come at a worse time for someone who fought her way onto Indiana’s roster in the middle of the season.

An official announcement from Unrivaled Basketball gave Fever fans the news they were most afraid of. “Aari McDonald is out for the remainder of the season,” the league posted. The statement confirmed what was clear after McDonald left her January 5 match in the third quarter and never came back to compete, even though she told fans on social media that she was “okay” at first.

McDonald’s journey with the Fever made it clear why losing her hurts so much. After signing an emergency hardship contract with Indiana, she averaged just under 10 points and five assists per game, quickly showing head coach Stephanie White that she was a good fit for her system. Her 4.7 assists per game in her most recent WNBA season showed that she is naturally good at running the point and making the offense work. There was an instant chemistry between them, and her fiery competitiveness made her a fan favorite right away. She also added a lot of depth to the backcourt rotation.

The timeline of the injury tells a scary story. In August, McDonald broke a bone in her right foot, which cut her WNBA season short. She signed with Breeze BC for Unrivaled after getting better, but she hurt the same right foot again during her first match on January 5 and had to leave in the third quarter.

The trade announcement from today makes this situation even more complicated. After McDonald’s season-ending designation, Unrivaled set up a four-team trade in which Breeze BC got Courtney Williams from Vinyl BC, and Rose BC got something in return for McDonald’s roster spot. The league had to act quickly to keep things fair after losing McDonald for the season. They moved players around between teams.

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Aari McDonald’s injury adds uncertainty to the Indiana Fever’s 2026 plans

This latest setback is especially bad for both McDonald’s and the Fever organization right now. Indiana’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of amazing. The team made it to the playoff semifinals despite having to deal with a lot of injuries all season long.

Last year, Indiana was hit hard by injuries. Caitlin Clark had a left quad strain and groin problems that wouldn’t go away, which kept her off the court for long periods of time. Sophie Cunningham hurt her right knee, MCL, and never came back, ending her season early. Sydney Colson’s torn ACL completely ruined their backcourt depth. Coach Stephanie White and the front office are really hoping for better days as they work toward 2026.

During that time of chaos, McDonald became a lifeline. She signed her hardship deal in June 2025, when injuries were piling up. She was let go for a short time when others came back, but she worked her way back onto a full-season contract. Her numbers showed how much she helped: 9.8 points and 4.7 assists per game, including a career-high 27 points in late July that kept Indiana’s offense going while key players healed.

As McDonald enters free agency for the 2026 WNBA offseason, she has to answer important questions about when she will play again and how long it will take her to recover. She’ll have to put all her energy into getting better, hoping for a full recovery. Everyone from Fever fans to league executives will be watching closely. She showed last season that she can handle it and produce, so she should be in a regular rotation. On May 9, the Caitlin Clark-led Fever will play their first game of the 2026 regular season at home against the Dallas Wings and 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.