The Indiana Fever’s remarkable playoff journey ended in a heartbreaking 107-98 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces. The game itself was a nail-biter, with the Fever pushing the defending champions to the absolute limit despite being short-handed. The team’s spirit was visibly shattered, however, when a key player, Kelsey Mitchell, suddenly collapsed on the court late in the third quarter.

That star was Kelsey Mitchell, the team’s leading scorer and an All-Star guard whose performance had been instrumental throughout the postseason. The scary scene unfolded as Mitchell drove toward the basket, only to suddenly stop and lean on an official for support before sinking to the floor. Teammates and trainers quickly surrounded her, holding up towels to block the view from the crowd and cameras as a stretcher was brought out. Mitchell was eventually helped to her feet and assisted off the court, leaving fans and players alike deeply concerned for her health. A recent tweet from the web revealed what Mitchell said about the event.

In a tweet shared by reporter Scott Agness, Mitchell explained the cause was a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which she attributed to overuse. “I feel fine. … I probably should take a lot of time to reset because I lost a lot of fluid,” Mitchell stated. She described the terrifying moment her body shut down, saying, “In that moment, I felt scared because my legs were numb … and I couldn’t feel my feet.” The condition left her unable to move her lower body for several seconds during the crucial semifinal game.

Mitchell elaborated on the experience in a lengthy social media post, providing more context to her initial comments. “I suffered from something called Rhabdomyolysis last night. My muscles stopped producing and reached it’s maximum capacity,” she wrote. The guard detailed an “out of body experience” where she felt a paralyzing numbness. She was transported to a Las Vegas hospital, where she received fluids and was released later that same night. By the next day, she was already walking again, albeit slowly, and expected to make a full recovery from the serious muscle condition often linked to extreme exertion.

This injury admission puts a cap on what was a phenomenal individual effort from Mitchell throughout the year. She led the Fever in scoring during the regular season with 20.2 points per game and elevated her play in the playoffs, averaging 22.3 points. Her performance was especially critical with fellow All-Star Caitlin Clark sidelined. Mitchell’s sheer determination was summed up in her own words as she reflected on playing until her “wheels fell off,” a testament to the physical toll of her incredible season and the unexpected way it concluded.

The intense physical demands of the playoffs ultimately led to this scary situation for Mitchell, a moment made easier by the unwavering support of her closest confidant.

A Twin’s Unbreakable Bond

Life’s challenges are always lighter with a built-in best friend, especially one who shares your face. Kelsey Mitchell and her twin sister, Chelsea, have this dynamic perfectly figured out. Their profound connection was recently highlighted during a sit-down on TogetherX, where Chelsea presented Kelsey with a heartfelt digital letter. She read it aloud, offering powerful words of encouragement and pride, a timely boost following Kelsey’s health scare.

“Dear Kels, it’s crazy we started this journey together, and to see how much you’ve accomplished,” Chelsea began. She reaffirmed her role as Kelsey’s biggest supporter, saying, “I’m here to tell you that I’ve always been your number one fan. I will never judge you. I will never leave you. Every bad game has always been a good game to me.” Chelsea praised Kelsey’s humility and dedication, encouraging her to enjoy her success and give herself grace during difficult times.

Chelsea has always been Kelsey’s pillar, both on and off the court. Though her own basketball career took her to Europe before moving into coaching, she has consistently acted as Kelsey’s vocal defender and support system. “I was more her support system. At the end of the day, I got you… I was her mouth, because nobody was going to talk down on her,” Chelsea once explained. This lifelong bond, forged through countless games and shared experiences, provides a crucial foundation for Kelsey as she navigates her recovery and looks ahead to her next chapter.