Kelsey Mitchell has overcome a long-time obstacle by guiding the Indiana Fever into the playoffs.
Kelsey Mitchell’s journey with the Indiana Fever has been one of perseverance and quiet resilience. For six long seasons, she carried the burden of missing the playoffs, often overlooked despite her talent. In 2022, when she was snubbed from the All-Star Game, teammate Emily Engstler lamented that Mitchell had been “robbed.” That moment epitomized her reality back then—always fighting, yet rarely recognized.
Fast forward to 2025, and Mitchell’s story has taken a dramatic turn. The arrival of Caitlin Clark transformed the Fever into a national sensation, and with that came a boost in visibility for Mitchell, who now enjoys the spotlight she once lacked. But fame never defined her; instead, it was her drive to prove she could lift her team, with or without star power by her side.
This season tested that resolve. With Clark sidelined, along with Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, and Chloe Bibby, the Fever could have easily unraveled. Instead, they rose, and Mitchell was the heartbeat of their resilience. She delivered one of the greatest performances in franchise history, scoring 38 points—34 in the second half and overtime—to complete a 21-point comeback against Connecticut. She stacked up four 30-point games, dished assists, and drilled threes at an astonishing clip.
Averaging a career-high 20.2 points, third-best in the league, Mitchell proved she is more than just Clark’s teammate—she is a star in her own right. After years of disappointment, she has finally led Indiana back to the playoffs, conquering old doubts and rewriting her legacy.
For Mitchell, this season wasn’t just about winning games; it was about validation. The narrative that she couldn’t carry a team without Clark has been silenced. She has arrived, and so have the Fever.
