To meet the 10-player roster minimum and WNBA emergency hardship exception requirements, we have waived guard Aari McDonald.

The WNBA’s emergency hardship exception serves as a crucial mechanism for teams facing significant roster shortages due to injuries. This provision allows teams to temporarily add a player to their roster when they fall below the league’s minimum requirement of 10 active players. The Indiana Fever utilized this exception in June 2025 to sign guard Aari McDonald, addressing their depleted backcourt caused by multiple injuries. However, with the subsequent return of key players, McDonald’s tenure with the Fever was brief, culminating in her release on June 13, 2025.

Aari McDonald, a 5-foot-6 guard from Fresno, California, was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2021 WNBA Draft. She quickly made an impact, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team in her debut season. Over her four-year career, McDonald has played for the Dream, Los Angeles Sparks, and briefly for the Fever. Known for her defensive prowess, quickness, and playmaking abilities, she has averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game across 116 WNBA appearances .

In early June 2025, the Indiana Fever faced a significant challenge as injuries sidelined key players, including star guard Caitlin Clark and veteran guards Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham. With their roster reduced to just nine game-eligible players, the Fever turned to the WNBA’s emergency hardship exception to bolster their lineup. McDonald, who had been waived by the Los Angeles Sparks prior to the season, was signed to a temporary contract with the Fever .

Upon joining the Fever, McDonald made an immediate impact. In her debut game against the Washington Mystics, she contributed 7 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals in 27 minutes off the bench, helping the Fever end a losing streak . Her defensive tenacity and leadership qualities were evident, and she quickly integrated into the team’s system despite limited preparation.

However, the nature of the hardship exception is temporary. As injured players began to recover, the Fever’s roster returned to full strength. With the return of Clark and Cunningham, the team no longer met the WNBA’s requirement to maintain a 10-player roster under the hardship exception. Consequently, McDonald was waived on June 13, 2025 .

While her time with the Fever was short-lived, McDonald’s performance underscored her value as a dynamic guard capable of stepping up in challenging circumstances. Her brief stint with the Fever highlighted the importance of the WNBA’s emergency hardship exception in maintaining competitive balance and ensuring teams can field a full roster during injury crises.