Aari McDonald

26-Year-Old GuardG
 Los Angeles Sparks  WNBA
OUT
Injury Ankle
Est. Return 5/1/2025
2024 Fantasy Outlook
McDonald is coming off her third year in the WNBA. Her role was nearly identical to the one she held as a sophomore, seeing 23.5 minutes per game and starting nine of her 24 appearances, missing a chunk of time due to a shoulder injury. The guard averaged 7.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and a career-high 3.0 assists while slashing 40/32/76. McDonald is showing upside with her three-ball and her passing ability. She's taking 5.5 triples and dishing out 5.2 dimes per 40 minutes. She isn't shy going to the rack, either, taking 3.0 free throws per 40 minutes, though that was down from 4.6 per 40 in 2022. Atlanta opted to upgrade at the guard position, trading McDonald for Jordin Canada while swapping first-round picks this offseason, so the former will now have to compete for minutes in Los Angeles' crowded backcourt, which will feature Lexie Brown, Layshia Clarendon and Kia Nurse. The Sparks also own two of the top four picks in the 2024 WNBA Draft, so McDonald's fantasy value could take another hit if they opt to add a young guard to the mix. Read Past Outlooks
Injury-ridden season comes to close
GLos Angeles Sparks
Ankle
September 26, 2024
McDonald averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.2 blocks across 21.8 minutes per game in 26 appearances (10 starts) during the 2024 season.
ANALYSIS
McDonald began the season strong up until the Olympic break, during which she averaged 9.3 points, 4.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 23.2 minutes per game in 24 outings. However, the 26-year-old dealt with injuries to both her foot and ankle, and she appeared in only two more games after the break. The guard will be a restricted free agent heading into the 2025 offseason, and the Sparks will be able to match any potential offer she receives. With Kia Nurse becoming an unrestricted free agent the Sparks are lacking backcourt depth heading into the offseason, and it would not come as a surprise if the club aims to retain McDonald.
Read More News
Per Game
Total
WNBA Per Game Stats
Loading Per Game Stats...
WNBA Total Stats
Loading Total Stats...
2024
2023
2022
2021
WNBA Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
ESPN
Loading Game Log...
WNBA Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
ESPN
Loading Game Log...
WNBA Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
ESPN
Loading Game Log...
WNBA Game Log
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
ESPN
Loading Game Log...
WNBA Advanced Stats
Loading Per Game Stats...
Schedule
By Month
Starting/Off Bench
Days Rest
Vs Opp
2024 WNBA Per Game Split Stats
Loading Split Stats...
2024 WNBA Per Game Split Stats - By Month
Loading Split Stats...
2024 WNBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
Loading Split Stats...
2024 WNBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
Loading Split Stats...
2024 WNBA Per Game Split Stats - Vs Opp
Loading Split Stats...
Total
Per Game
Per 36
WNBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 8 teams and 9 players per team.
Loading Historical Fantasy Stats...
WNBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
Loading Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats...
WNBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
Loading Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats...
Sparks Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Sparks Rotation: Minutes Breakdown
Loading Sparks Rotation Data...
Average Fantasy Points
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Aari McDonald was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Loading Average Minutes...
Loading FanDuel Points...
Loading DraftKings Points...
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
After a solid rookie season, McDonald took a huge step forward in 2022 and finished with career highs in points (11.1), assists (2.6), rebounds (2.3) and steals (1.4) while posting 41.1/33.8/87.1 shooting splits. However, Atlanta's offseason acquisitions of Danielle Robinson and Allisha Gray will likely limit some of McDonald's opportunities in 2023. Whether she's in the starting lineup regularly or not, McDonald figures to be a critical part of Atlanta's rotation and has the potential to be a proficient producer in multiple categories. While McDonald finished around league average in points and assists last year, she really made her mark on the defensive side of the ball and could end up top-5 in steals during the 2023 campaign if she's able to build off her numbers from a year ago.
McDonald was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, but she produced inconsistent results during her rookie season. The former Arizona standout took on a starting role for each of the final four games of the year, but she managed to score in double figures in just seven of her 30 appearances overall, while averaging 6.3 points in 16.4 minutes per game for the season. She'll no longer have to compete for playing time with Chennedy Carter, who was dealt to the Sparks during the offseason, but McDonald will attempt to carve out a role alongside new acquisitions Erica Wheeler and Nia Coffey.
More Fantasy News
Won't play in regular-season finale
GLos Angeles Sparks
Ankle
September 18, 2024
McDonald (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's regular-season finale against the Lynx, Rey Moralde of The Sporting Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Out once again Tuesday
GLos Angeles Sparks
Ankle
September 16, 2024
McDonald (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Mercury, Rey Moralde of The Sporting Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Remains out Sunday
GLos Angeles Sparks
Ankle
September 14, 2024
McDonald (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Storm, Rey Rey of The Sporting Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Ruled out Wednesday
GLos Angeles Sparks
Ankle
September 11, 2024
McDonald (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Storm, Edwin Garcia of SBNation reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Doesn't play against Connecticut
GLos Angeles Sparks
Ankle
September 10, 2024
McDonald (ankle) didn't play during Tuesday's game versus the Sun.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.