What went down: mid‑July shuffle
On July 16, 2025, the Fever announced that point guard Caitlin Clark was dealing with a groin issue, which she described as “a little something” but questionable ahead of a key game (WNBA). With Clark sidelined, veteran guard Sydney Colson also borderline, head coach Stephanie White reshuffled her lineup. The result? Aari McDonald and Sophie Cunningham shifted into the starting five (WNBA).

This wasn’t a one‑off. McDonald had been with Indiana earlier in June on an emergency hardship contract, then waived upon the return of Clark and Cunningham (FOX Sports). But circumstances drew her back—and she seized the moment.

Two players, two journeys

Aari McDonald: lightning‑fast spark

At 5′6″, McDonald isn’t the tallest on the floor, but she has a tenacious energy and promosphere presence that can shift momentum. Third overall pick in the 2021 draft, she’s played stints with the Atlanta Dream and LA Sparks, but it’s in Indiana where she’s begun leaving her mark (Reuters).

Signing & stats: June 1, she came on via hardship exception amid missing players. Over her first three games, she averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in about 25 minutes (FOX Sports).
In the starting lineup: Upon earning a rest‑of‑season contract June 25, she made her debut start, notching a game‑high 8 assists (FOX Sports). Over her first four Indiana appearances, she averaged 11.3 ppg, 3.8 apg, and 1.3 steals (FOX Sports).
Play style: She’s quick enough to break defenses, apply pressure, force turnovers, and create in transition. At 26, she blends maturity from her APSP, college (Washington, Arizona), and pro experience .

Sophie Cunningham: enforcer meets sharpshooter

Cunningham’s journey is a long‑standing one. Drafted 13th in 2019 by Phoenix, she earned a reputation as a hard‑nose competitor. In early 2025, she was traded to Indiana—one of the most talked‑about moves of the offseason, and she’s thrived alongside Caitlin Clark (Wikipedia).

On‑court impact: She brings perimeter shooting, midrange consistency, and veteran savvy. She played a leading role in the Fever’s Commissioner’s Cup win over Minnesota July 2—putting up double figures alongside Clark, Howard, Boston, and McDonald (Swish Appeal).
Off‑court presence: Her bold fashion statements—such as a striking bra‑style top and leopard pants before a home game—have sparked buzz, with fans calling her “the face of the WNBA” (The Sun). She’s also known for speaking freely on league culture and growth.
Defensive grit: Dubbed Clark’s “enforcer,” she once picked up a viral ejection defending Clark. It’s this duality of aggressiveness and skill that defined her Phoenix run and now firepower in Indiana .

Why this shift matters

1. Depth beyond Clark

Clark has been the linchpin of Indiana’s offense and attention magnet. But relying too heavily on her isn’t sustainable. McDonald and Cunningham bring complementary strengths, ensuring the Fever aren’t a one-player show. They’re fighters in different styles: McDonald orchestrates and energizes; Cunningham fires and defends.

2. Resilience in adversity

Injuries aren’t new, but the Fever have handled them better this season. With Clark, Cunningham, and Colson banged up, bringing McDonald in, then back into starting, shows an organization deep in preparation and trust. That depth paid off when they clinched the Commissioner’s Cup by riding strong defense (Swish Appeal).

3. Chemistry shaping a new identity

This isn’t just two players switching roles—it’s a cultural shift. McDonald’s mentoring into veteran status, Cunningham’s fearless advocacy, and Clark’s dynamic leadership are blending into a young, hungry identity. Watching them gel on the floor—McDonald driving, Cunningham spotting up, Clark orchestrating—shows a balance Indiana lacked last season.

The bigger picture

WNBA’s evolving ecosystem

Indiana’s moves reflect a league increasingly defined by flexibility and parity. Across the WNBA, teams are finding value in mid-career players—especially proven veterans and sharpshooters—rather than chasing draft-pick potential exclusively. This benefits league depth at a time when the WNBA is undergoing a talent expansion, adding more teams and global attention. Cunningham’s outspoken voice on expansion cities shows the thought depth this league is entering .

Women’s sports narratives

Cunningham’s bold fashion, McDonald’s underdog comeback, the Fever coaching through adversity—all are stories beyond stats. They’re giving fans more than plays to watch: they’re forging identities. In a media climate hungry for athlete personalities, these human arcs elevate the WNBA’s storytelling appeal.

The game-day ripple

From the first whistle, the new starting five bring a fresh tempo:

McDonald initiates with pace: pushing in transition, probing defenses, pulling help defenders, and finding open shooters. Her court vision invigorates an offense revolving around Clark’s star pull.
Cunningham spaces the floor: launching threes, moving without the ball, switching onto perimeter threats defensively. She adds literal spacing and figurative gap-closing on both ends.
Clark, the orchestrator: elevated by her duo. With McDonald siphoning pressure and Cunningham stretching defenses, her playmaking becomes more incisive.
Bench impact: Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell, Colson—they clip in for bursts, knowing the starting five laid a firm foundation.

What’s next?

Sustaining momentum

The task ahead isn’t about proving a point; it’s about endurance. Injuries saturate the league; keeping McDonald and Cunningham performing requires load management, adaptability, and trust from the coaching staff.

Long-term roster vision

Could McDonald stay an anchor even when Clark returns? She’s earned it statistically and stylistically (FOX Sports). Will Cunningham continue to assert her voice league-wide? Her footprint suggests yes.

Playoff positioning & legacy

Indiana is more than trying to sneak into playoffs—they’re chasing a title. With a balanced starting five and upward trajectory since the Commissioner’s Cup, the Fever might emerge as dark-horse contenders.

Player voices

From interviews and social sentiment:

McDonald: described Indiana as “incredibly welcoming,” reflecting a player finding her voice and value in team culture (Swish Appeal).
Cunningham, via fan reaction: after stepping out in style and backing expansion talk, she’s seen as “the face of the WNBA,” respected for both performance and personality .
Coach White’s assessment: praised McDonald’s professionalism and impact when signed in June—and her earning a full-season deal validates that .

Final thoughts

Seeing McDonald and Cunningham in the starting lineup isn’t just lineup gymnastics—it’s an inflection point. It’s about the WNBA valuing grit and skill, Indiana Fever building a multi-dimensional identity, and fans getting richer storylines beyond numbers.

In basketball, starting roles are signals—not just of talent, but of trust, expectation, and hope. And in this case, McDonald and Cunningham are legacy-builders in motion. Their ascension highlights resilience, adaptability—even leadership.

So when the Fever take the floor next, check who’s starting: this isn’t just an athletic snapshot, it’s the start of a narrative crescendo—one worth following closely, stats included, stories included. The WNBA’s next chapter just got a little more complex—and a lot more compelling.