Kelsey Mitchell and the Indiana Fever just took a brutal 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty. But, they got hit with a far bigger gut punch.
Rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, the spark that’s lit up the WNBA since Day 1, went down with a quad injury. After feeling discomfort in her left leg postgame, Clark was sent for an MRI. The result? A two-week minimum shutdown. And just like that, her ironwoman streak, 183 straight games, comes to a screeching halt.
Kelsey Mitchell Looks to Hold the Fort Down for Clark
Clark has never missed a game in her entire career. Not at Iowa. Not in the pros. So yeah, this one stings. But the Indiana Fever locker room isn’t letting it break their spirit. And leading the charge is none other than veteran guard Mitchell.
Mitchell, who’s been through the wringer with this franchise, kept it real during Monday’s media availability. “For us, it’s support system. That shouldn’t change,” Mitchell said. “I think Caitlin knows that she has the ears and eyes on the locker room and the support that she has behind. Whether it’s us or anybody else.”
#Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell on Caitlin Clark’s quad injury:
“ … I would like to think that she knows (the support is) there and to really take her time to make sure she’s well enough to be who she needs to be for us because I want the 100% Caitlin.” | @TheAthleticWBB pic.twitter.com/F7nDufnVch
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid)
She didn’t just say it. She meant it. Mitchell doubled down, stressing that Clark needs to take her time and come back fully fit. “I would like to think that she knows (the support is) there and to really take her time to make sure she’s well enough to be who she needs to be for us because I want the 100% Caitlin.”
It was more than words. It felt like a promise. One of those “no matter what we got you” type of vibes. And it came from the one teammate who’s shared that backcourt magic with Clark since the moment she landed in Indiana.
What’s Next for the Fever Without Their Star Rookie?
Now the big question: what happens while Clark sits? Indiana, sitting at 2-2, needs to pull itself together fast. The next challenge is a road game on Wednesday against the Washington Mystics. It’s a great opportunity to test how the Fever operates without their primary playmaker.
Mitchell, along with center Aliyah Boston, will be shouldering even more of the offensive load. Boston’s putting up 18.5 points per night, while Mitchell is just behind her at 17.8. Clark was not only the floor general but also a major scoring threat and, honestly, the one making those two look even more dangerous.
If there’s one upside, it’s that Clark’s two-week window keeps her in play for the second half of the Commissioner’s Cup. Her potential return could come as early as June 10 against the Atlanta Dream. But till then, it’s Mitchell’s team. And based on that heartfelt message? She’s ready to rise.
The Fever might be down, but they’re not done. Not with Mitchell holding it down for her sidelined superstar.
