“She is one of the most athletic, quickest players I’ve ever seen. The way she can move through a line of people and still get to the rim. And still get a shot off, it’s impressive.” The Indiana Fever boasts of a formidable roster this season. The team initially hid behind Caitlin Clark’s spectacular on-court performances. But Clark’s absence forced players like Kelsey Mitchell to the spotlight. So, it was no surprise when teammate Lexie Hull praised the guard for her exceptional skills.

When the Indiana Fever stepped into the Mohegan Sun arena for a gruelling showdown against the Connecticut Sun, little did they know what lay in store. Known for facing brutal physicality at the behest of the Sun all season, the Fever was not prepared to lose Sophie Cunningham in the first half today. While the team largely struggled initially, Kelsey Mitchell stepped up to fill the void and flipped the script in their favor.

While Kelsey Mitchell managed just 3 points in the second quarter, her hunger to win stunned fans, viewers, and reporters alike. In fact, even WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes could not contain her excitement. Swoopes took to X (former Twitter) and shared an encouraging 8-word message that read, “DAMN!!! Kelsey Mitchell is a PROBLEM! Helluva 2nd half!” After all, the guard added a whopping 38 points, 1 rebound, and 6 assists to an astonishing 99-93 victory.

As a natural lead scorer for Indiana Fever and now heading the league with the maximum number of points so far, Kelsey Mitchell was a treat to watch in the second half. The veteran swiftly transitioned between roles, and gave the Sun a befitting reply. And those who watched the game know exactly what I’m talking about. Her agility, ability to think on her feet and making the right reads propelled Fever into a dramatic victory.

No wonder her name has propped up during the MVP conversations so far. While still considered an underrated player by many, Mitchell has successfully carved her name in the list of greats. As Indiana Fever stands at 19-16 in the Eastern Conference rankings, can they inch closer to the playoffs without Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark?

Indiana Fever suffers a tough blow despite 99-93 win

Despite an astonishing 99-93 win against the Connecticut Sun left fans, viewers, and reporters stunned, the Indiana Fever locker room had a grave issue to address. Since every tipoff against the Sun has resulted in a physical altercation, how could the final matchup be any different?

In the first half of the game, Bria Hartley went for a driving layup as Indiana Fever players tried defending the athlete. And a couple of mishaps occurred in the process. While Hartley elbowed Kelsey Mitchell out of her frame twice, the lack of landing space sent Hartley on the floor.

But before hitting the ground, Hartley made a strong contact with Sophie Cunningham under the rim. This incident in the second quarter led Cunningham into hopping on one foot while she clutched her right knee tightly, before succumbing to the pain. The Fever guard writhed in pain on the floor, before being carried to the locker room.

This incident came as a tough blow to the Fever, who witnessed Cunningham getting sidelined mid-game. As another strong athlete exits the locker room, the responsibility falls on newcomers Chloe Bibby, Odyssey Sims, and Kayra Lambert to step up. With a depleted roster, the Fever is left with just three guards to lead the team towards the aspirational win.