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The Indiana Fever, currently holding a 20-18 record and sitting sixth in the WNBA standings, have faced significant challenges due to reported injuries and absences in their backcourt. Key guards - Sydney Colson, Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham, and Caitlin Clark have been sidelined at various points, reportedly necessitating the use of hardship contracts to maintain roster depth. In such a situation, another guard in the game will join the Fever in order to provide the depth.
The Indiana Fever, a team battling to secure a playoffs berth in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), have welcomed a significant addition to their roster this week with the signing of veteran guard Aerial Powers on a seven-day hardship contract. The move, aimed at bolstering a depleted backcourt, sparked an emotional reaction from Powers’ mother, Cecili, whose heartfelt response captured the significance of the moment. In a video shared on Powers’ social media, Cecili’s joy was palpable as she exclaimed, “Oh my gosh. Are you serious? This is the happiest I’ve been in a while. Probably gon’ cry. I’m so happy.” The signing, which comes at a critical juncture for the Fever, marks a new chapter for Powers, a former WNBA champion eager to make an impact alongside Caitlin Clark.
Former WNBA champion aims to make a turnaround for injury-marred Indiana Fever
Reports claim that Aerial Powers, a 2016 fifth-overall draft pick by the Dallas Wings, brings a wealth of experience to the Fever. A WNBA champion with the Washington Mystics in 2019, she has played for multiple teams, including the Minnesota Lynx and, most recently, the Golden State Valkyries, where she appeared in just two games earlier this season. The Fever’s decision to sign Powers is claimed to reflect the team’s urgent need to address roster shortages while maintaining competitiveness. Hardship contracts, a provision in the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, allow teams to sign replacement players when injuries or other circumstances deplete their roster below the required minimum.
With Clark and other key guards unavailable, Powers’ experience reportedly provides a stabilizing presence. As the Fever prepare for their upcoming games, Powers’ role will likely extend beyond statistics, as it is speculated that she could help guide a relatively young roster through the pressures of playoffs race. In her first two games with Indiana, Powers played 20 and 15 minutes, respectively, averaging 3.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
