How Caitlin Clark's presence is leading to big season for Fever teammate

The Indiana Fever are preparing to play the Atlanta Dream on Monday night. Before the game, Fever head coach Christie Sides addressed the impact of Caitlin Clark and other stars on Kelsey Mitchell, via the Indiana Fever on X (formerly Twitter).

"Kelsey and I, we've laughed," Sides said. "She's taken more wide open shots than she's (ever) taken. That's because of Aliyah Boston, NaLyssa Smith, Caitlin Clark. People take the heat off of her. But she's ready to make plays. It's just exciting."

Clark has enjoyed a phenomenal rookie season. The Fever star is playing at a high level without question. She is on track to win the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award. Clark, though, has received plenty of help from her teammates.

Kelsey Mitchell's impact on Fever

Mitchell, 28, has played in the WNBA since 2018. She has spent her entire career in Indiana with the Fever. Mitchell has continued to improve, ultimately earning her first WNBA All-Star Game selection in 2023. She followed that up with a second consecutive All-Star selection in 2024.

Yet, opponents are still often focusing on the Fever's other stars in Clark, Boston and Smith. As a result, Mitchell is taking what opponents are giving her and often making defenses pay.

Mitchell is currently averaging 17.8 points per game on 45.1 percent field goal and 37.6 percent three-point shooting. The two-time All-Star is also recording 1.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per outing.

The Fever will enter Monday's game in Atlanta with a 13-16 record. Indiana is in third place in the Eastern Conference. They project to have a strong opportunity to reach the postseason in 2024. In order to make any kind of serious playoff run, though, the Fever will need Mitchell to continue to play well. She may not always receive the most attention, but Indiana understands how impactful she has been throughout the '24 campaign.