With the Fever needing to survive without Caitlin Clark, an unlikely source in Aari McDonald has stepped up. Jacob Rude covers Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever as an in-person, credentialed journalist based in Indianapolis for SB Nation, in addition to writing and managing Lakers coverage at Silver Screen and Roll.

In the Indiana Fever's win over the Mystics on Tuesday, Brookside Christian grad Aari McDonald provided a defensive boost in her debut.

The Fever won their first game since point guard Caitlin Clark was injured, getting a lift from emergency hardship signing Aari McDonald in a win over Washington.