Fever lose Colson and McDonald to season-ending injuries

Indiana announces Sydney Colson tore her ACL and Aari McDonald broke a bone in her right foot, leaving the team short-handed at a tough point in the season.

Fever lose Colson and McDonald to season-ending injuries

Indiana Fever suffered a heavy blow on Thursday night, falling 95-60 to the Phoenix Mercury. The team confirmed Sydney Colson tore the ACL in her left knee and Aari McDonald fractured a bone in her right foot, both season-ending injuries. With Caitlin Clark sidelined by a groin issue, Indiana will head into the next game with only nine healthy players and could seek a hardship signing once Colson and McDonald are ruled out. Colson, a veteran guard, provided steady ball-handling and playmaking, especially during Clark’s absences. McDonald, who joined the Fever in June, started 13 of 17 games this season and posted solid averages, helping to stabilize the lineup during a period of lineup shuffles.

The Fever sit at 17-14, fifth in the WNBA standings, and face a challenging stretch as they prepare for a meeting with the Chicago Sky. The immediate loss of two point guards compounds Indiana’s depth issues, forcing White to improvise with reserves and players from the frontline to handle ball distribution and minutes. The club will likely pursue a hardship signing to add guard depth, a move that hinges on league rules and the availability of eligible players.

White now faces a tougher coaching puzzle as bench players must absorb extra minutes. The injuries expose the thin guard depth and test the club’s ability to maintain pace and decision-making without its top option at the position. This is a reminder that depth, not just star power, often decides late-season outcomes.

The setback also raises questions about how Indiana will manage its roster in the weeks ahead. With Clark’s return timeline unclear, the Fever must balance short-term competitiveness with longer-term development, weighing emergency additions against cap space and chemistry. The outcome in the near term could influence whether the team stays in playoff contention or shifts toward rebuilding momentum for next season.

Highlights

Depth tests more than wins now define Indiana's path.