The Indiana Fever have faced a whirlwind of challenges in recent days, but if there’s one thing the WNBA franchise knows how to do, it’s adapt. The team’s resilience has been tested yet again after a string of devastating injuries to key guards, forcing a rapid reshuffle as the regular season barrels toward its climax. With their playoff hopes still alive, Indiana is rallying behind both seasoned veterans and rising stars to keep their campaign on track.
On Friday, the Fever announced that guards Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald would miss the remainder of the 2025 season. The news landed just hours after Indiana was handed a crushing 95–60 defeat by the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night, a game that underscored the team’s mounting adversity. For Colson, a 36-year-old two-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces, the diagnosis was particularly tough: a torn left ACL. McDonald, at just 26, suffered a broken bone in her right foot, ending a season in which she had emerged as a vital contributor.
Colson’s leadership and experience have been invaluable in the Fever locker room, even as her on-court stats—2.4 points and two assists per game—might not leap off the page. Her presence, honed over years in the league and highlighted by championship pedigree, has been a steadying force for a squad navigating a turbulent season. McDonald, meanwhile, was enjoying a breakout campaign, averaging 9.8 points and 4.7 assists per contest. Her quickness and playmaking had become a staple of Indiana’s backcourt, and her loss is felt both in the box score and in the team’s energy on the floor.
"It’s just heartbreaking to see two of our teammates go down like this," said a Fever spokesperson, reflecting the mood across the organization. The timing couldn’t have been worse. With star guard Caitlin Clark already sidelined by a lingering right groin injury—her absence now stretching to ten consecutive games as of August 10—the Fever suddenly found themselves perilously thin at the guard position.
The situation reached a boiling point during Saturday’s matchup against the Chicago Sky. Indiana, down to nine available players and without a true point guard, somehow pulled together a remarkable 92-70 victory. The triumph was a testament to the team’s grit and adaptability, but it also underscored the urgency of finding reinforcements. “We had to dig deep,” said a member of the Fever coaching staff. “Everyone knew they had to step up, no matter what position they were used to playing.”
With league rules requiring that both Colson and McDonald miss at least one game before the team could sign a replacement, Indiana wasted no time moving to shore up its depleted roster. On Sunday, August 10, the Fever officially inked veteran guard Odyssey Sims to a hardship contract, a move that brings both experience and versatility to the backcourt. Sims, 33, has been a fixture in the WNBA since being selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Tulsa Shock.
Sims’ resume is impressive: over 304 career games (208 starts), she’s averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds. Her journey has taken her across the league, with stints for the Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, and most recently, the Los Angeles Sparks. In fact, Sims was with the Sparks at the beginning of this season, putting up 9.8 points and 3.5 assists per game in 12 appearances before being released in early July.
Her best campaign came in 2019 with the Lynx, when she earned All-Star honors after averaging 14.5 points and 5.4 assists over 34 games. “Odyssey brings a level of toughness and savvy that you just can’t teach,” said a Fever team official. “She’s been in every situation you can imagine, and we’re confident she’ll help steady our backcourt.”
The road to this moment has been anything but smooth for Indiana. The franchise has already endured a season marked by injuries and lineup shuffles. Caitlin Clark, the much-hyped rookie and former college superstar, has been in and out of the rotation with her own health struggles. Despite the setbacks, the Fever have managed to keep their heads above water, posting a 17-14 record before their win over Chicago and improving to 18-14 after Saturday’s victory.
That success owes much to the leadership of All-Star center and forward Aliyah Boston, whose consistent play has anchored the team through the ups and downs. Boston’s efforts on both ends of the floor have provided a foundation for Indiana’s playoff push. “Aliyah has been our rock,” said a teammate. “She’s stepped up every single night, no matter who’s in or out of the lineup.”
With the addition of Sims, the Fever are hoping to stabilize their backcourt and maintain their momentum as they enter a crucial stretch. The team is scheduled to host the Dallas Wings on Tuesday, August 12, a matchup that could have significant playoff implications. For Sims, it’s an opportunity to make an immediate impact and perhaps even reignite her own career after a brief hiatus.
“I’m just thankful for the chance to help this team,” Sims said after signing her contract. “I know what it takes to win in this league, and I’m ready to do whatever is needed.” Her arrival couldn’t come at a better time. With Clark’s return still uncertain and the backcourt depth tested to its limit, Sims’ ability to handle the ball, create offense, and defend multiple positions will be invaluable.
Looking back, it’s hard to overstate the adversity Indiana has faced in such a short span. Losing both Colson and McDonald in the same week would be a gut punch for any team. Add in the absence of Clark, and the Fever’s ability to pull off a decisive win over Chicago becomes even more impressive. The coaching staff’s ability to adjust on the fly—mixing up rotations, leaning on role players, and instilling confidence in younger contributors—has kept Indiana in the playoff hunt.
Of course, questions remain. Will Clark be able to return before the postseason? Can Sims recapture her All-Star form and mesh with a roster she’s just joined? How will Boston and the rest of the team respond to yet another shift in roles and responsibilities? The answers will come soon enough, as the Fever’s schedule offers little time for rest or reflection.
For now, though, Indiana fans can take heart in their team’s resilience. Despite a season marked by injuries and setbacks, the Fever are still very much in the playoff picture. With Odyssey Sims ready to contribute and the rest of the roster rallying together, the next chapter of Indiana’s season promises plenty of drama—and perhaps a few more surprises yet.
