USA Today via Reuters
May 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) and Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler (17) react during the second half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) and Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) and Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler (17) react during the second half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark’s preseason form wasn’t the best going into the WNBA season. They lost the first game 79-76 to Dallas Wings at the College Park Center. In their last match at home Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Fever won 83-80 against the Atlanta Dream. After the grueling match, media asked Clark about the chemistry between the players, especially with Erica Wheeler and Kelsey Mitchell.
Clark’s reply was wholesome as she said, “…It’s awesome for somebody like me. Coming in my first year, they are just two people I can lean on. So I just think how lucky and fortunate I am.” But in the beginning, she said something regarding the injury which has fans in all sorts of concerns. “If they’re able to go, that’s great. It’s a long season, so you gotta take care of your body and do what’s right..”
Kelsey Mitchell suffered an ankle injury in April and has missed a majority of the training with the Fever. Reporter Matt Cohen of Winsidr said on X, “Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever is doubtful tomorrow for the team’s season opener against the Sun with a left ankle injury.”
Kelsey Mitchell of the @IndianaFever is doubtful tomorrow for the team's season opener against the Sun with a left ankle injury@Winsidr
— Matt Cohen (@byMattCohen) May 13, 2024
Mitchell started all of the 40 games last season and averaged 18.2 points. She was the leader in scoring not only last year but also for the previous five years. The guard was expected to start alongside Caitlin Clark to give the team the much-needed edge. The Ohio State native had been injury-free until this season when she only missed 5 games in the last 5 years.
Christie Sides on Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell’s chemistry
Indiana Fever Coach Sides was hopeful for last year’s WNBA All-Star comeback and starting a partnership with Caitlin Clark. “Just excited about what it’s gonna look like. I mean we’ve had some moments at practice where Kelsey is just an explosion. Yesterday, she made a pass to Caitlin and Caitlin just wasn’t even ready, it happened so fast. Katie Lou had one where Kelsey was driving hard base line and she was just so fast. She got on top of them before she even knew who’s coming.” Sides spoke to the media after the second preseason game.
Even Mitchell knows this is a tricky time for her, as the first game against the Connecticut Suns is just hours away. The 5-ft-8 guard said, “feel really, really great, but for me it’s making sure I’m being professional on and off the floor, making sure I’m listening to my doctors, listening to the proper protocol just to make sure I’m getting everything that I need going into the beginning of the season.”
Will the absence of Kelsey Mitchell hurt Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever’s chances against the Connecticut Sun?
