The Indiana Fever fanbase has seemingly found a new favorite, and they aren't shy about expressing their feelings to the front office. Following Aari McDonald's debut, a resounding message is echoing: "Do Not Be Stupid."
The Fever, grappling with a series of injuries to key players including Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and Sydney Colson, signed McDonald under the WNBA's emergency hardship exception. This exception allows a team to sign a player when their roster dips below 10 eligible players. McDonald's arrival couldn't have been more timely, as the Fever were riding a three-game losing streak.
McDonald, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft, brought immediate energy and impact to the Fever. In her debut against the Washington Mystics on June 3, 2025, she played 27 minutes, contributing seven points, five assists, and three steals. More importantly, her presence seemed to inject a new sense of urgency and defensive intensity into the team. The Fever secured an 85-76 victory, their first Commissioner's Cup win, earning $3,000 for their Commissioner Cup beneficiary, Peace Learning Center and snapping their losing streak.
The fans' reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have taken to social media and online forums to voice their support for McDonald and implore the Fever's management to find a way to keep her on the roster long-term. The sentiment is clear: McDonald's two-way abilities, particularly her defensive prowess and ability to run the offense with pace, are invaluable to the team.
McDonald herself expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the welcoming environment she's found in Indiana. "It felt good tonight to finally get back," she said. "The team, the players and the fans -- they all were very welcoming to make sure I had everything to be successful tonight... When your number is called, you gotta be ready to deliver, and I felt like I did just that... Grateful we got the win." She also admitted to feeling anxious about learning the Fever's system on short notice, relying heavily on film study and asking questions to quickly integrate with the team.
The situation presents a challenge for the Fever's front office. With Clark's expected return in approximately two weeks, and with Cunningham and Colson also hopefully recovering, roster decisions will need to be made. The emergency hardship exception is, by its nature, temporary. However, McDonald has made a compelling case for a more permanent spot.
The Fever faithful recognize the potential McDonald brings. Her ability to create opportunities on both ends of the floor is something the team desperately needs, especially with the absence of key players. The "Do Not Be Stupid" message is a direct plea to the front office: recognize McDonald's value and find a way to keep her in Indiana. Whether that means making tough decisions to waive another player or exploring other roster configurations, fans believe that keeping McDonald is crucial for the Fever's success, not just in the short term, but also in the long run. The pressure is now on the Fever's management to heed the fans' message and make the right decision for the team's future.
