Why WNBA legend Sue Bird believes Aari McDonald could help Caitlin Clark when Fever star returns from injury

Caitlin Clark is already the Indiana Fever’s cornerstone, but she is battling injuries. Aari McDonald joined the Fever on a hardship contract but has returned and is contributing.

They haven’t shared the court yet, but what if the Fever had both available at the same time?

WNBA legend Sue Bird pondered the possibilities on her “Bird’s Eye View” podcast before interviewing Fever player Natasha Howard.

Bird attended the Fever’s June 24 game in Seattle against the Storm, where she played 19 seasons and won four championships. Though Clark struggled to score, the Fever beat the Storm.

Bird sees a way that McDonald could help Clark.

“It’d be beneficial for (Clark) if she had teammates around her who could create shots for her,” Bird said. “She has to create a lot of her own shots and create shots for her teammates. And there are times, if she could get some open looks off of other people’s play, that would be really beneficial to her.

“And that’s where Aari McDonald may have some impact.

Bird noted that playing Clark and McDonald together for long stretches could present the Fever with some defensive challenges as well.

The Fever are 5-4 in games Clark has played; 3-2 with McDonald in action, and 0-2 in games that neither played. Indiana visits Minnesota on Tuesday night to play in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game.

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