Kelsey Mitchell had the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on its feet, simply for her free throws. Something she has done since 2018, but this was drastically different. Chants of “M-V-P” from a 16,022-strong crowd filled the stadium as Mitchell put the icing on the cake in the Indiana Fever’s Game 4 win against the Las Vegas Aces. It was another trademark Mitchell performance as she went off for a team-high 25 points on 9-of-20 shooting with a couple of triples and 4 assists. Postgame, Stephanie White didn’t hide it: pride in Mitchell’s grind, and gratitude she chose to run it back in Indy.

“First and foremost, just an extreme amount of pride for her. You know, she has been through a lot, you know, with this franchise, and the second thing is just, you know, pride in her work and how much work she’s put in to position herself to be in this moment. You know, she loves this game. She just wants to play, and I’m incredibly proud of her.” White said after the game. 

While the MVP award has already been awarded to A’ja Wilson, who scored 31 points on the night, the Indiana Fever fandom doesn’t agree with it. For them, Kelsey Mitchell is their saviour, not without reason. Her 20.2 points per game took the Fever to the postseason despite their injury troubles. When it seemed she couldn’t get better, Mitchell did. In the postseason, she is averaging 23.3 points (2nd most in the league), mighty close to Wilson’s 24.7 points. The intangibles, like her leadership, are just priceless to the fans and the team. White considers herself lucky to coach someone like Kelsey Mitchell. 

“I’m thankful that our fans continue to recognize her greatness. And I’m thankful that she decided to come back and join us. I have watched Kelsey from afar and wanted to coach her for such a long time, and have enjoyed, you know, every opportunity that I’ve had. So, she’s finally getting her flowers.” White concluded. 

You remember Kelsey Mitchell almost didn’t re-sign with the Indiana Fever. “No, I don’t know anything,” Mitchell said in August last year, with regard to having any talks with management about returning. “I haven’t even let the thought cross my mind, I’m just kind of standing it right now. But I mean, those conversations are going to have to be had. I’m gonna do what’s best for me. It’s always going to be a business. I’m excited to explore that idea. I’ve never been in free agency.” 

It seemed Mitchell would be on her way out, but Stephanie White changed everything. After signing in November, she exclusively made efforts to retain Mitchell. “We talked for hours and hours on WhatsApp,” Mitchell said. “She made it a priority to kind of be present in my process.” A deliberate courtship then led to signatures and, now, signature moments. All Mitchell needed to thrive was for someone to believe in her ability. White handed her the reins. The veteran has paid it back in huge dividends, especially when it comes to clutch moments. 

The Kelsey Mitchell Play That Sealed Game 4 For Indiana Fever

Most WNBA players name Kelsey Mitchell as the hardest to guard across the league. She is just so fast that even the most elite defenders can’t catch up. Her off-the-ball movement is as elite as it gets. In Game 3, the Aces’ defense was collapsing on Mitchell. That lasted just one game, as we had Boston dropping dimes to a cutting Mitchell in Game 4, leaving her marker in the dust.

If not, she would collect it on the perimeter and just blast past multiple defenders to either lay it in or kick it out for an open three. As the game approached its business end, Mitchell came up with a clutch three-point play that essentially completed their second upset of the series. 

With 1:05 on the clock and a 5-point difference, the Aces were still in the game. Mitchell was on the halfway line watching the time tick down. As the shot clock touched 10 seconds, she hit fellow number 0 Jackie Young with a nasty crossover as Aliyah Boston came over for some screening action. A’ja Wilson tried to step in, but Lexie Hull screened her off, too. 

As Mitchell pulled up for a mid-range shot, Chelsea Gray made a last-ditch attempt to block. However, to Mitchell’s brilliance, she finished through the contact, absorbing a contested block attempt. While she missed the free throw, the Fever put seven points of distance with this play. After this, the Aces had to make multiple fouls as a final strategy, but the Fever closed out the game, taking the series to Game 5.