Kelsey Mitchell isn’t one to linger on celebrations not after keeping Indiana’s season alive against Atlanta, not when the Fever upset the Dream to reach the semifinals, and not even after she erupted for a playoff career-high 34 points in Game 1 against the Las Vegas Aces.
Her focus is always on what’s next. “You have to respect where you are,” Mitchell said after the Fever’s 89–73 semifinal-opening win. “I’ll enjoy this one for a couple hours, but then it’s on to the next. You have to be ready for whatever comes.”
Mitchell’s steady composure in her first semifinal appearance made her the difference-maker, stunning the Aces on their home floor. That poise reflects who she is: a competitor who blocks out distractions, ignores accolades even her first MVP finalist nod and zeroes in on basketball itself. “At the end of the day, it’s about winning,” she said. “I just want to play the game like I’m still a kid on the playground.”
Her journey to this stage hasn’t been easy. Drafted No. 2 in 2018, Mitchell endured six straight losing seasons in the aftermath of Tamika Catchings’ retirement. She played under four different coaches and alongside countless teammates, but through it all, she remained the Fever’s constant.
The franchise turned a corner with back-to-back No. 1 picks, Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark. Even with Clark sidelined for much of 2025, Mitchell has carried the Fever through a season riddled with injuries. “She’s put us on her back so many times,” coach Stephanie White said. “She’s the head of the snake.”
Mitchell could have left after her rookie extension expired in 2024, but her bond with White changed everything. Long talks while Mitchell played overseas helped forge trust both in basketball and in life, especially after her father’s passing. “I’ve never felt this kind of culture, this kind of value,” Mitchell said. “I’m loyal by nature, and now I feel that loyalty coming back to me.”
That trust has unlocked the best basketball of her career. Now a three-time All-Star and MVP finalist, Mitchell is the leader of a surging Fever team and beloved by her teammates. “Everyone deserves a Kelsey Mitchell on their team,” Brianna Turner said.
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