Aari McDonald has emerged as one of the WNBA’s most electrifying guards. Standing just 5’6″, the Fresno native has rapidly cemented herself as a key playmaker for the Indiana Fever. After a year with the Los Angeles Sparks, McDonald has shown flashes of brilliance on court night after night in the Fever uniform.
In just five games, she has put up a dominant show, averaging 12.0 points, 3.2 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, and her performance on July 3 against the Las Vegas Aces was no exception.
Even from afar, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton couldn’t hide his admiration as he watched McDonald dazzle the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd.
Tyrese Haliburton Requests an “Aari McDonald Jersey” With a Viral Tweet
Following Thursday’s game, Haliburton immortalized the moment with a unique plea through his X handle. With three simple words and a humble plea, “I need a Aari McDonald jersey,” the tweet felt like a direct homage to McDonald’s individual brilliance.
I need a Aari McDonald jersey
— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) July 3, 2025
Meanwhile, the tweet follows Haliburton’s own public journey through rehabilitation after tearing his right Achilles tendon in late June during the Pacers’ NBA Finals chase. An MRI confirmed the rupture, and he underwent surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York after the Pacers lost to the Thunder in Game 7.
On top of it, the Fever are navigating their share of injury-marred lane. The 2024 No. 1 pick, Caitlin Clark, has missed four straight games (including the Commissioner’s Cup) after sustaining a groin injury on June 24. She has missed nine total games this season. The first five were due to a quad injury.
Indiana confirmed Clark would sit out Thursday’s matchup as she continues her recovery.
Clark-less Indiana Fever Beats Las Vegas Aces 81-54
The Fever exploded out of the gates, capitalizing on Aces’ early miscues. Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald orchestrated the offense. By the end of the first period, Indiana held a 21-14 cushion thanks to a stingy defense that forced multiple Aces turnovers.
Indiana dialed up the pressure, outscoring Las Vegas 25-10. McDonald logged seven assists, seven rebounds, and scored eight points. She had a +26 plus/minus, highlighting her impact on the hardwood tonight.
As the Fresno native spearheaded the team’s playmaking, Mitchell added a team-high 25 points, Aliyah Boston chipped in 20 points, while Natasha Howard dominated the boards with 10 rebounds and scored 11 points, snatching a double-double.
to the hoop 💨
Aari McDonald gets the layup to go. pic.twitter.com/LNS2NIeKjl
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 3, 2025
Las Vegas struggled to find rhythm against a Fever defense that seemed omnipresent in passing lanes. A’ja Wilson scored 29 points, while the second-highest scorer from the Aces tonight was Jackie Young, who added six points.
Most of the Aces players were stuck to scoring two to four points, which highlighted their struggling depth as they fell like a house of cards. The final buzzer confirmed a commanding 81-54 victory, clinching another win for Indiana, who arrived home after winning the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup on July 1.
Next up is the anticipated match between the Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Fever on July 5 at Gainbridge.
