The Fever is hitting the court against the Mystics in their final regular season game. For the Washington side, it is a make-or-break moment for securing their playoff spot. On the other hand, Caitlin Clark and Co. are looking to boost their confidence and ensure their key players stay fit for the business end of the competition, where they’ll face the third-seeded Connecticut Sun. However, the Fever has faced a wake-up call in the first half against the Mystics, signaling that they can’t afford to let their guard down just yet!

The Indiana side tipped off the game with their usual starting 5, opting not to rest any key players, unlike other teams. Their first five included the trio of Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Caitlin Clark, all on the court. However, Kelsey Mitchell’s time was cut short as she played only 5 minutes in the first quarter, before heading to the bench. While she was spotted holding a knee brace, the Underdog WNBA reported about her injury on X, saying, “Status alert: Kelsey Mitchell (ankle) headed to locker room Thursday.”

The 28-year-old guard made an immediate impact, scoring 4 points in her brief stint. She even added an assist to her name and scored both her attempts from the field. However, her availability for the playoffs is now uncertain, which could be a pivotal factor for the Fever. While Caitlin Clark has garnered much of the spotlight for the team’s success, it’s essential to recognize that Kelsey Mitchell’s contributions have been just as vital to their achievements.

The Ohio State alumna has truly shone this season, averaging an impressive 19.6 points, making her the Indiana Fever’s top scorer. However, she still feels the job is not done yet.

Kelsey Mitchell has a “legacy to uphold” as playoff doubts emerge

This will be the first time Kelsey Mitchell will play in the playoffs after entering the WNBA in 2018. Before the Indiana Fever’s regular-season matchup against the Washington Mystics, she opened up to reporters about what this moment means to her. The two-time All-Star became visibly emotional as she made a heartfelt revelation: she plays not just for herself, but to honor her father’s legacy. “It’ll be an experience from a standpoint; I’ve never been a part of it. So the spectacle, the fans, that’ll be new for me.”

“So I’ll be like a kid in a candy store, probably. But ultimately, I got a legacy to uphold. I got a legacy to keep. And that’s my dad. And so my mindset and my focus is to go and have that maintain focus for 40 minutes and compete. Not for myself, but the Fever, but ultimately, I got a lot to fight for,” the Fever guard said.

via Getty

As Kelsey Mitchell opened up about her father, Mark Mitchell, emotions ran high. He passed away unexpectedly in March 2024 at just 56. A former football player at Eastern Kentucky, Mark then dedicated his life to coaching hoopers. With rumors already swirling that she might leave the Fever next year, it remains interesting to see if she could achieve glory alongside Caitlin Clark this season. But first, she’ll need to fully recover and regain her strength ahead of the playoffs.