Kelsey Mitchell Credits Emotional Journey With Fever For Playoffs Approach Against Aces

Kelsey Mitchell was so unstoppable, even two-time WNBA champ Becky Hammon could only throw her hands up in awe. “Clearly, we had no answer for Mitchell,” Hammon said. “Couldn’t even attempt to slow her down a little bit.” On the day A’ja Wilson received her 4th MVP, Mitchell showed her up. Her 34 points, which were the second most in Fever playoff history, led the Fever to an 89-73 win against all odds in Game 1 of the SF. While Mitchell is grabbing the headlines as her career-best run continues, she is as humble as ever. 

“I remember playing in like a Dagon, I don’t even know what that was, a barn? I remember Gainbridge wasn’t Gainbridge, it was Bankers Life,” Mitchell said ahead of Game 2. No, it is not a reference. Mitchell means that literally. Parts of the Indiana State Fairgrounds historically were (and still are) livestock pavilions and show barns, where Fever played in 2021 and 2022 in parts. Fever had to play there because their home stadium, the Bankers Life Field House, was going through major renovations. 

Before the change in name, it was a different stadium, designed to feel like an Indiana high school fieldhouse rather than a sleek modern bowl. As they played in a stadium few would want to play in, their performance struggled, too. “I kind of seen it from every level losing seasons, and I am grateful for our group for kind of being in this moment. The thought and idea is that we don’t take it for granted. We keep it about us and leave it at that.” Mitchell further said.

For her first six seasons, Mitchell and the Fever failed to make the playoffs with single-digit wins in 4 of them. It would have been easy for Mitchell to ask for a trade and hunt for rings, but she stayed despite her missed opportunities. She’s spent six straight seasons as a top‑10 scorer and now, at last, she’s crashing the All‑WNBA team and the MVP top five in the same year.

“I look back at all those times I cried, I wanted to quit, and you know when life happens. You wait your turn, and the hope is that you build yourself these moments.” Mitchell reminisced. Over the years, she has shown remarkable resilience, something that has become the identity of the current Fever side. Her attitude towards the game has spread further, elevating the team. It has been visible throughout the season as she scored 890 points in her 44 appearances in the regular season.

Drafted in 2018. Built through every season since.

Kelsey Mitchell’s journey with the Fever is proof of patience, perseverance, and undeniable talent.

She takes the court in Game 2 of the Semi-Finals TONIGHT at 9:30pm/ET on ESPN!

WNBA Playoffs | @google pic.twitter.com/Vn9v2Q9mzx

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 23, 2025

Yes, Game 2 of the Semis did not turn out to be the way the Fever hoped, losing 68-90, but expect more from the star as the Fever returns to Gainbridge for two back-to-back home games as this Aces series progresses.

In that game, Mitchell’s scoring was limited to just 13 points, but she found a way to contribute through her passing, getting 5 assists. A 22-point loss is enough to deflate any team, but the Fever, led by Mitchell, will dust it off and welcome the Aces to the Gainbridge with the same enthusiasm. “Kelsey Mitchell has been through the worst parts of this franchise, and she deserves to go through the best,” coach Stephanie White said. “And she’s rising to the challenge.”  

After Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark joined in 2024 and Mitchell finally had some tools to make this a contender. But then injuries hit, what did Mitchell do? She led them to a deep playoff run regardless. All the years of experience and working through the failures are finally paying off. The Aces are fumbling to guard her pace, and the Fever are depending on her to deliver. While we focus on Mitchell’s scoring ability, she is even more important than people think. 

Kelsey Mitchell Unlocks Indiana Fever’s Pace

The Indiana Fever were stuck in limbo. One of the first things Stephanie White said after being hired last year was that she wanted to play fast-paced basketball, but with all of their injuries, they just couldn’t. Every few days, another player got injured, and the lineup had to be changed all over again, taking them back a few steps. The offense has finally clicked in the playoffs, and Kelsey Mitchell lit the fuse.

“We’re one of the toughest teams to guard when we play at a faster tempo,” Odyssey Sims said after their Game 1 win. “Steph talks about that all the time, making sure we’re getting downhill and the pace. When we come off more aggressive, it’s hard to stop. It’s me and Kelsey mainly because we’re in the majority of the ball screens, but it opens up so much. We draw attention when we want to get to the lane, but we also have great teammates we can pass it out to.”

Aug 31, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the second quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Fever are the second fastest team in the postseason with a pace of 96.00 (95.71 in regular season), and they already beat the fastest, the Atlanta Dream. Mitchell has obviously been a key part of this progress, along with Stephanie White. Mitchell is not only about her shooting, but also her passing. She sometimes takes over the offense and makes correct and quick decisions. Commanding so much attention, she gives more open looks to others. Beyond this season, the Indiana Fever will be scary if Caitlin Clark, Mitchell ,and Boston work together in complete synergy.

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