The Fever brought the heat to Dallas. Or at least Kelsey Mitchell did. The leading scorer of the league since the Olympic break has been giving some competition to all the opponents for some time now. However, as they reach Arlington for their next road game, she is also competing hard against her own teammate. In fact, the 7-year veteran even gave a hard time to her rookie guard mate, Caitlin Clark.

After completing their more-than-worst schedule with back-to-back games in the opening month of the season, it has become a norm for the Indiana Fever to make their practice sessions interesting. One way they have captured the interest of their players is by playing random games to build team chemistry. Another one, which is more related to the sport, is the half-court shot contest.

But unlike what most would want to believe, it is not Caitlin Clark who won each of them. In fact, she has not won any of them since her very first for the Indianapolis-based franchise 4 months ago. This time, getting a one up over the rookie was the 2x All-Star shooting guard Kelsey Mitchell. The official X account of the Fever posted the video captioning, “today’s halfcourt shot contest winner: Kelsey Mitchell 🪣” 

While the fans would certainly be okay with Caitlin Clark not making the throne in the practice sessions, they definitely want to see their first-overall pick shoot more in the games. Fortunately, all of the Indiana players are utilizing deep shots more often than not now.

Caitlin Clark rubbing off her three-pointer magic

In their first win over the Connecticut Sun since 2019, Caitlin Clark mentioned why her teammate Lexie Hull has been unstoppable on the floor as of late. Then, she said humorously that it was because the Stanford alum was hanging out more with her. While we may not know the reality of it all, the change is actually visible in the team’s performances.

Earlier, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell were the only two trying shots from the three-point line. Occasionally, Erica Wheeler too tried her hands from beyond the arc. However, since their return, Lexie Hull is rising as their best option for hitting the bucket from the corner. Their bigs, NaLyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston, too have made a few baskets from the top of the arc. Not to mention Dantas Damiris, who joined the team after visa struggles, is also a person that the rookie point guard often passes the rock for a three.

While these people have won the half-court shot contest in practices, the utilization of the same, even if closer to the arc, is what is changing the Fever as a group. Tomorrow, they will take on the Dallas Wings who gave them an L right before the All-Star break. However, if the team’s improved playing style and Caitlin Clark’s single-game 19-assist record could be repeated, the tables just might turn.