Indiana Fever supporters have expressed strong frustration toward the Phoenix Mercury following yet another serious injury to a player, extending a series of season-ending losses for backup point guards that began with Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald. These incidents unfolded during recent matchups, intensifying concerns over player safety and team conduct.
During Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury, Dream guard Jordin Canada suffered a right leg injury late in the third quarter. Canada was unable to bear weight on the injured leg and required assistance to leave the court. She was withdrawn from the remainder of the game, which Atlanta ultimately won 74-66. The precise extent of Canada’s injury remains unclear, but the manner in which she exited points to significant severity.
Following this latest incident, fans of the Indiana Fever renewed their criticism of the Mercury, highlighting a pattern after Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald each endured season-ending injuries in previous games against the same opponent. Many accused the Mercury of playing aggressively, labeling them a “dirty team.”
Sydney Colson was the first to sustain a serious injury against Phoenix, suffering a torn ACL while attempting to recover a loose ball during their Thursday contest. This injury officially ruled her out for the rest of the season. Shortly afterward, Aari McDonald sustained a broken foot in the fourth quarter after an awkward landing during a drive. Despite initially continuing to move on the court, McDonald was soon removed from play and was also ruled out for the year.
Indiana Fever Adds Odyssey Sims to Roster After Season-Ending Injuries
In response to the loss of both Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald, the Indiana Fever signed veteran guard Odyssey Sims to bolster their lineup. Originally, Colson was brought in during the offseason to back up Caitlin Clark and bring valuable experience to the youthful team. After Clark was sidelined with a groin injury, McDonald earned a starting spot over Colson thanks to her impressive play. With both now out for the season, the Fever targeted Sims as a highly capable playmaker to fill the void.
Sims is a 12-year WNBA veteran who had appeared in 12 games this season for the Los Angeles Sparks, starting 11 of those contests. She posted averages of 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists before being released in early July. Her experience and skill set are expected to provide the Fever with much-needed depth in their backcourt during this challenging stretch.
The string of injuries impacting the Fever’s key guards highlights vulnerabilities in their roster depth and raises concerns about player safety when facing the Phoenix Mercury. How the team integrates Sims and adapts moving forward will be critical to maintaining competitiveness this season. Fans will also be watching closely for any future developments regarding Canada’s condition following her injury against Phoenix.