Kelsey Mitchell made headlines during the Indiana Fever’s return to WNBA action with a notable performance and a hint about her future that stirred up some speculation.
Mitchell, back on the court after a month-long break, played a crucial role in the Fever’s 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, marking a strong comeback for the team.
However, her potential departure from the Fever became a talking point after an ambiguous comment about the Fever hosting the 2025 All-Star Game. When asked about the event, Mitchell responded with a noncommittal tone, saying, “I guess, I was excited. Obviously, I’ve been in Indy for the last years of my life. But I’m excited that Indy gets a chance to host it. Shoutout to Indy for that, I’m excited for them.” Her response led fans to speculate about her future with the team, with some interpreting her words as a sign she might be leaving soon.
Despite the speculation, Mitchell delivered a standout performance, playing the most minutes of any Fever player and scoring 28 points, just one short of Caitlin Clark’s total. She also added five rebounds and three assists to her tally.
The game also featured a dramatic clash between Mitchell and Phoenix’s Natasha Cloud. The altercation, which occurred off the ball, saw Cloud block and hold Mitchell, leading to a shove from Mitchell in retaliation. The confrontation escalated into a brief brawl before being broken up by team members and officials. Both players were issued technical fouls after a review of the incident.
Cloud addressed the scuffle, emphasizing the competitive nature of the encounter. “That’s my dog,” Cloud said. “Two competitors. Me and Kelsey have gone at it for years now. We played at AAU together. I have nothing but love for her. You saw us at the end, too; it’s always love. That’s just competitiveness of the game. I love that s**t… But everything’s cool.”
With the win, the Fever completed a season sweep of the Mercury, improving their record to 12-15 and maintaining their position as the seventh seed in the playoffs. The Fever will next face the Seattle Storm on Sunday, while the Mercury will host the Chicago Sky on Thursday.
