The Indiana Fever’s 2025 season has been defined by resilience, led by Kelsey Mitchell’s MVP-level performances and Stephanie White’s coaching. Now, as they face a do-or-die Game 5 against the Las Vegas Aces, their mental toughness is being put to the ultimate test. The Indiana Fever fans must be hoping that Stephanie White can re-create her history as the head coach. However, according to Kelsey Mitchell, the Indiana Fever are not thinking about the history and are only focused on the present.

Speaking to the media in her after-practice media availability, Kelsey Mitchell gave an insight into the Indiana Fever’s mentality heading into Game 5. When asked about whether they were thinking about the full circle moment for Stephanie White, she said, “Honestly, no. I think this is also so surreal for many of us that we’re just taking it one day at a time. I never been here. We got like three, two rookies who’ve never been here. So it’s like a lot of us has never been here and had this opportunity.” 

Even though Kelsey Mitchell has been in the league for eight years, she did not taste playoff basketball until last year. And as we all know, last year, Indiana was knocked out by the Connecticut Sun in the first round. So, it is natural that being this deep in the playoffs is unfamiliar territory for her and most of the roster. Sure, she has not played like someone new to ‘all this’, but that is all down to her preparation for these games.

Talking about her mindset during the playoffs, she said, “So I think about it for me right now is just using this as a day of practice, a regular day, a regular moment. As much as I can, even though it’s not, but try to keep your mind focused on the little bit just to keep you honest.” Whatever she’s doing, it seems to be working very well. Just like any great player, she has increased her output during the playoffs. She finished the regular season averaging 20.2 points per game. But in the playoffs, she has increased her production to 23.3 points per game.

In tonight’s Game 5, the  Fever fans will hope that Kelsey Mitchell is able to continue her form, as it is essential to the Fever having any chance of pulling off a win.

Stephanie White Pays Homage to Kelsey Mitchell After Heartfelt Game 4 Moment

As Kelsey Mitchell stepped up to the free-throw line late in the fourth quarter, the atmosphere in the Gainbridge Arena was electric. In the midst of loud cheers as the Fever were ever so close to forcing a Game 5. There were also plenty of chants addressed to Kelsey Mitchell. As she took the free throws, the crowd serenaded her with MVP chants. After spending eight long years with the team, Kelsey Mitchell is finally leading them to a deep playoff run.

After Caitlin Clark’s season-ending injury, most of us had counted out the Indiana Fever. But Kelsey Mitchell kept performing and leading them through all the tough stretches due to injuries. Even when the Fever reached the playoffs, there wasn’t much hope for them. But Keley wasn’t going to be so easy to stop. Her MVP performances have continued even then. In the semifinals, one could argue that she has outplayed the four-time MVP A’ja Wilson.  Who can forget her career-best playoff performance in Game 1? That too, on the Aces’ home floor. She would need to replicate that performance because the Las Vegas Aces will be out to make a statement.

And now, as Indiana stands on the cusp of making it to the finals after a decade, the fans will hope that Kelsey Mitchell can give yet another magical performance and help the Indiana Fever beat the odds yet again. Will she be able to do that? I guess we’ll have our answer in just a few hours.