“I’m hungry,” Aari McDonald had said. “I’m in survival mode, so I got to be hungry.” Every time Aari McDonald steps on the hardwood, she is sure to score, to pounce on her opponents, and devour the win. At least that’s what she has done with her two-match stint in the Indiana Fever. It is this very hunger that has saved Caitlin Clark’s teammates from sinking in her absence and brought the team back on track.

No wonder head coach Stephanie White was all praise for the exceptional point guard. “Aari was terrific,” White had said after her first game with Fever. “She came in and she was the ultimate point guard. She got us settled when we needed to, five assists, zero turnovers. That’s huge. And not just that, she set the tone on the defensive end. And that was big time for us.” She performed her duties as a guard. And the rest was history.

As Aari continued her dominance in her second game against the Chicago Sky, the team amassed another victory. This was a huge feat for someone who was hired on a replacement contract for the Indiana Fever, after the roster was reduced to less than 10 athletes. Despite people’s skepticism in the player, HC White was hopeful. Besides, McDonald immediately came off the bench and shut down any doubts.

Now, as Indiana Fever prepares to step on the Gateway Arena to face Atlanta Dream in game 3 of 4 on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, this is the perfect opportunity for Fever to dominate their opponents. While Dream has physically strong athletes, thanks to Griner and Howard, can Indiana Fever use Dream’s greater height and size to their advantage? Or will they succumb to the strong roster? Let us understand injury report, starting lineup, and match prediction and assess who has an upper hand this time.

Injury Report: Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever

“Not for tomorrow, no.” The answer was clear. Stephanie White denied Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham’s return to the active roster. White was of the view that the team would assess the playing status of Clark and Cunningham before allowing them to perform live on the hardwood.

Moreover, the official ESPN website also confirmed Clark’s current playing status against the Atlanta Dream and wrote, “Clark (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Dream, Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star reports.” Fever guard Sophie Cunningham would be joining Clark on the bench.

And while Clark had hinted at her possible return on Tuesday, seems like the fans would have to wait a little longer to see their favourite Fever athlete. Though sidelined owing to a left quad sprain, Clark has been instrumental from the bench too. She was seen instructing her teammates, arguing with the referees, and clicking pictures with her teammates.

Clark has averaged 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists before being sidelined this season. On the other hand, Cunningham dished 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the regular season so far. With both efficient guards out of the frame, the fate of Fever lies in the new comer, Aari McDonald, along with existing players in Aliyah Boston, Natasha Howard, Lexi Hull, and Kelsey Mitchell.

On the other hand, players, Shatori Walker Kimbrough and Naz Hillmon from the Atlanta Dream have a questionable playing status ahead of the tip off. While Walker-Kimbrough is tending to her impending back injury, Hillmon suffered a left hamstring injury. The two players are on a day-to-day status, that will be updated a few hours from the match. But overall, Dream looks healthy and ramped up to go against Indiana Fever today.

Projected Starters: Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever

Atlanta Dream

• Allisha Gray
• Rhyne Howard
• Maya Caldwell
• Nia Coffey
• Brittney Griner

Indiana Fever

• Kelsey Mitchell
• Lexi Hull
• Sydney Colson
• Natasha Howard
• Aliyah Boston

Match Prediction: Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever

Ironically, the Atlanta Dream is hosting Indiana Fever after a shocking loss against one of the last standing teams. An 84-76 defeat against the Connecticut Sun.  This has also been the team’s lowest score in the season so far. Not to forget, the Dream scored 76 against a winning Indiana Fever in game 2 this year.

Atlanta’s still a powerhouse, with Brittney Griner ruling the paint and Rhyne Howard heating up from deep, she dropped 22 points in that Connecticut loss. Griner’s a tough matchup for Aliyah Boston, who’ll need to avoid foul trouble. But the Dream’s bench has been shaky, and if Walker-Kimbrough or Hillmon can’t go, they’ll have to lean heavily on their stars. That’s where Indiana’s hustle can capitalize.

With power-packed athletes like Brittney Griner, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, and Allisha Gray, the roster has enough backcourt depth along with some of the best inside scores gracing the front court. But can they overcome this unlucky number and avenge last game’s loss in game 3 against Fever? With a 5-3 score so far, things look bleak for Atlanta Dream.

On the other hand, Indiana Fever had suffered a one-point loss to Dream in their opening game this season. But soon, they understood Dream’s tactics and clawed back with an 81-76 win in game two. And now as the team gears to step on the Gateway arena, Fever looks more confident than ever. With a 2-0 winning streak and Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald to lead in Clark and Cunningham’s absence, Fever has an unstoppable charisma about them.

Though Dream boasts an average of 84.6 points, 37.6 rebounds, and 20.4 assists, Indiana Fever is not far behind. Mitchell has averaged 17.4 points per game and Boston has dished 7.6 rebounds and 3.6 dimes per game. Thereby, the two have totaled the team’s average to 84.5 points, 33.4 rebounds, and 19.3 assists so far.

Despite sinking into a streak of losses after Caitlin Clark took the bench, the team clawed their way back and how! The signing of Aari McDonald has provided Indiana Fever with new vigour and a renewed energy. While their last match against the Chicago Sky was a massive success, things can get difficult for Atlanta Dream.