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.

Caitlin Clark's new Fever teammate already knows her well—maybe a little too well. The Indiana Fever announced on Monday they were signing guard Aari McDonald via the WNBA's hardship exemption after losing three guards to injury six games into the young season.