The Indiana Fever closed their four-game road trip with a 95–60 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday night. But the scoreboard was only part of the damage, as injuries piled up and further depleted the team’s backcourt depth, as they are already struggling with Caitlin Clark‘s absence.
Veteran guard Sydney Colson exited in the first quarter after suffering a non-contact left knee injury. She landed awkwardly while chasing a rebound, and her knee buckled inward. Colson was helped to the locker room, unable to put any weight on her leg.
Colson was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game and did not return to the bench. The Fever have not released details on the severity of the injury, saying additional evaluations will be conducted once the team returns to Indianapolis. Non-contact knee injuries often signal serious ligament damage such as an ACL tear, which, if confirmed, would sideline Colson for the season.
Indiana’s injury troubles grew worse in the fourth quarter when starting point guard Aari McDonald left the game limping. She was escorted to the locker room by a trainer and did not return. McDonald had been filling in for Clark, who has been out since June 15 with a right groin injury.
Meanwhile, Sophie Cunningham had an injury scare, leaving the game with a left ankle issue early in the second quarter. However, she later told IndyStar journalist Chloe Peterson that she was “good” after the game.
Stephanie White talks Colson and McDonald’s injuries
Postgame, head coach Stephanie White confirmed McDonald is dealing with a right foot injury. “We’ll get some more evaluation when we get home tomorrow, and see where we are,” White said, via IndyStar, referring to both McDonald’s and Colson’s conditions.
The timing of the injuries is particularly concerning for Indiana’s roster construction. With Colson and McDonald both sidelined and Clark still recovering, the Fever currently have no healthy point guards available. That leaves White and her staff facing major rotation challenges in the games ahead.