The Indiana Fever were without Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham on Tuesday night.
But thanks to the WNBA’s hardship contract rules, the Fever held off the Washington Mystics anyway in an 85-76 win.
The key to the game was Aari McDonald. She’s the player Indiana signed after Clark and Cunningham were both injured recently, taking Indiana’s total number of healthy players below 10.
McDonald will have to be released when everyone is healthy, but in the meantime, she shone brightly on Tuesday night.
The 5-foot-8 lefty guard finished with seven points, five assists and three steals in 27 minutes off the bench. Her assist and steal totals both led the Fever on the night.
“We needed her out there,” Indiana’s Lexie Hull said after the game. “She was huge on defense, huge on drawing offensive fouls. I mean, I’m just so proud of her and I’m happy she’s here.”
McDonald was the perfect complement to 24 points from Kelsey Mitchell and a 14/6/4 night from Hull.
It’s not yet clear when Cunningham will be back. Clark is expected to at least miss Saturday’s matchup with Angel Reese and the Sky.
McDonald appears ready to make the most of her opportunity for as long as she gets it.
