The Indiana Fever steamrolled past the Chicago Sky, 79-52, on Saturday night in a Commissioner’s Cup showdown at United Center. What made the blowout more striking was that they did it without star rookie Caitlin Clark, sidelined with a quad injury, and head coach Stephanie White, who missed the game due to personal reasons.
Despite the absences, the Fever improved to 4-4 on the season while Chicago dropped to 2-5 after their second double-digit loss to Indiana.
Kelsey Mitchell led all scorers with 17 points, while Aari McDonald added 12 off the bench. McDonald, signed on a hardship contract, delivered another strong performance in her second appearance for the Fever.
Aliyah Boston Credits Aari McDonald’s Defense for Shifting the Pace of the Game
Aliyah Boston praised McDonald’s defensive effort after the win, calling out how her intensity helped fuel Indiana’s fast-paced offense.
“Her presence. She was full-court denying, she got an early steal in the passing lane, she’s super active, and that does a great job in fueling our offense. We want to play fast, we want to play in transition. Those easy steals help us a lot,” Boston said.
aliyah on aari’s defensive impact:
“her presence. she was full court denying, she got an early steal in the passing lane, she’s super active and that does a great job in fueling our offense. we want to play fast, we want to play in transition. those easy steals help us a lot.” pic.twitter.com/Ayn4tqytYm
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) June 8, 2025
McDonald finished with 12 points, three three-pointers, three steals, and a plus-minus of +19 in 25 minutes. She was one of four players in double digits and helped limit the Sky to just 11 points in the third quarter as the Fever outscored Chicago 27-11 in that period and pulled away before the final frame.
Aari McDonald Strengthens Her Case For a Permanent Spot on the Fever Roster
McDonald was signed by the Indiana Fever on June 2 under a hardship exemption due to injuries to Clark and Cunningham. In her two games since joining, she has made a clear case to stay.
Against the Washington Mystics, she logged seven points, five assists, and three steals in 27 minutes. Against the Sky, she followed that with 12 points and three steals in 25 minutes.
Her speed, on-ball defense, and consistent shooting have added value to an Indiana backcourt that needed depth.
With Courtney Vandersloot exiting early for the Sky due to a non-contact knee injury, McDonald took full advantage and helped keep pressure on the Chicago offense.
Aari McDonald leads the entire WNBA in steals since joining the Fever 🔒 pic.twitter.com/LoE8qhyGXW
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) June 8, 2025
The Indiana Fever now face a roster decision once Clark and Cunningham return. They could release veteran forward Brianna Turner, who has played limited minutes this season, to create room to retain McDonald.
If McDonald is waived, other teams in need of a guard, including Chicago, could sign her immediately.
The Fever are 2-0 with McDonald in the rotation. Her fit with Kelsey Mitchell and ability to run the offense in Clark’s absence suggest she could be a valuable long-term asset for Indiana this season.