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Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) slaps hands with guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the third quarter against the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic

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Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) slaps hands with guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the third quarter against the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
There comes a point where a team can’t just take it anymore. It seemed the Indiana Fever were at that point after Sophie Cunningham limped off the court with a knee injury during the second quarter… Nothing seemed to be going their way as Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard were being blocked off in the paint while also facing foul trouble. The Sun were solid on their defense, and the shots were just not falling, especially for Kelsey Mitchell.
However, Mitchell forgot all about her woes after the halftime break and came out all guns blazing. The shooting guard led the Fever from a 21-point deficit to force OT in the final seconds of the game. And then, everyone knew what the outcome was going to be because once Mitchell is on the run, no one can stop her.
The Fever carried their momentum to a glorious 99-93 victory. And Caitlin Clark, who was away from this game due to injury, was tuned in to support her team. She took to X and wrote, “KELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!” You know that Mitchell did something crazy for Clark to give a reaction like this. Mitchell made history, dropping 38 points and 6 assists, which tied her career high. In follow-up tweets, Clark wrote, “MVP kels,” and “Battled battled battled. So proud.”
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Even Cunningham couldn’t help but praise her teammate as she took to X and wrote, “KELSEY FREAKIN MITCHELL.” Mitchell hit the 3-pointer that reinvigorated her team and commenced the 13-2 run that drew them within three with 3:47 left. She also scored the game-tying three-point play in the final minute of regulation on a driving layup. And in the OT, she hit the step-back 3-pointer as the shot clock expired and then drove a pair of daggers. It was a performance worth watching!
KELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) August 17, 2025
She also shattered Fever legend Tamika Catchings’ record, racking up her 11th career game with 30+ points, the most in franchise history. It was her third 30+ point game this season.
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Stephanie White had immense praise for Kelsey Mitchell after the game
It has not been just this one game or the past few. Mitchell has carried Indiana from day 1 this season. When Caitlin Clark was struggling in the field, who was there? Mitchell. When Clark bowed out and the team was disconnected, it was Mitchell who stepped up into a leadership role. When they lost both of their point guards, it was Mitchell who had to adjust. Even with all that, she continued to score in bunches.
No wonder HC Stephanie White said after the game, “Speechless, really. … Just put us on her back, made big shot after big shot, big play after big play.”
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Kelsey Mitchell's comeback magic: Is she the most clutch player in the league right now?
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Step back three? Check. Driving to the hole? Mitchell was on it. Looking back, Connecticut really had no chance with Mitchell in this form. The shooting guard was the one who tied the game for Indiana with just 44 seconds left in the fourth quarter. She drove into the paint with multiple defenders on her and made an extremely difficult layup while earning a foul. But after Cunningham’s injury, the mood in Indiana camp seemed glum.
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However, Mitchell kept their spirits high. When overtime hit, she carried the momentum, scoring the Fever’s first basket and giving them their first lead since 4-3. As soon as Connecticut tied it up, Mitchell responded with back-to-back threes, putting the game on ice and sealing the win.
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Apart from just Mitchell, they had Natasha Howard with 18 points and 9 rebounds, and the ever-reliable Aliyah Boston added a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. More importantly, they had a solid point guard in Odyssey Sims, who scored 19 points plus a team-high seven assists. It seems White’s punt to start Sims over Hull paid off after all. While Fever is still afloat at 19-16, they face the Minnesota Lynx twice next, which will be a much steeper test than today. They will have a couple of days to rest before playing on Saturday. What do you think?
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Kelsey Mitchell's comeback magic: Is she the most clutch player in the league right now?