The Indiana Fever underwent a lot of changes in the last few years. One thing that never changed is Kelsey Mitchell’s presence. Mitchell, a former second overall pick, has been with the Fever since 2018. She endured a lot of losses during that time. This season marked the first time the Fever finished the regular season with a winning record since Mitchell joined the team.
Nevertheless, Mitchell never lost faith and stayed with the Fever even when she had the opportunity to leave and join a winning team. That patience is finally being rewarded now. It started with the Fever’s trip to the playoffs last year. While the Fever were swept by the Connecticut Sun, it marked a significant step in the right direction. Now, Mitchell has finally gotten a taste of postseason success.
The Fever won their first playoff game since Mitchell joined the team
The Fever’s road to the playoffs wasn’t easy. Over the course of the regular season, they lost five players to season-ending injuries and had to sign several players on hardship contracts. Nevertheless, they secured the sixth seed. Mitchell, who averaged over 20 points and three assists per game in the regular season, was a big reason for the Fever’s surprising success. She may even have played her way into an All-WNBA selection.
She was also a key factor in the Fever’s first playoff win since 2015. The Fever entered the playoffs as an underdog and were widely expected to lose their first-round series against the Atlanta Dream. Nevertheless, they put up quite the fight in Game 1, avoiding the same kind of blowout loss the Storm and Valkyries suffered in their playoff openers.
Game 2 was even better, as the Fever secured a 77-60 win. Mitchell led the way with a game-high 19 points. Aliyah Boston scored 15 points, and Natasha Howard added 12 points. All three outscored the Dream’s leading scorer. As a team, the Fever shot 42.1% from three, won the rebounding battle, and outscored the Dream in the paint.
There’s plenty of playoff success in the Fever’s future
The Fever may not win this series against the Dream, but their future still holds a lot of playoff success. Indiana will enter next season with a healthy Caitlin Clark (hopefully) and much more playoff experience. They made the playoffs with a diminished roster—by winning games rather than just sliding into the playoffs because someone had to fill the final spot—and won a game. Just imagine what they can do with a healthy Clark.
Mitchell will be a free agent after this season, but Fever fans should expect her to re-sign with the team. She signed a one-year deal last year because of the upcoming CBA, not because of any obvious desire to leave.