Caitlin Clark may be the center of attention for the Indiana Fever. However, Kelsey Mitchell, the team’s longest-tenured player, was a key presence last season, and Clark is now praising her as well.

The 30-year-old guard is entering her ninth season with the Indiana Fever, who drafted her second overall in 2018. Kelsey Mitchell has experienced both losing and successful seasons with different coaches and teammates. Now, Caitlin Clark is appreciating the support she has received from Mitchell.

“Just really fortunate that she’s back here. She makes my job a lot easier," Caitlin Clark said during the Indiana Fever’s 2026 training camp at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, before explaining how Kelsey Mitchell helps her on the court.

"When you have somebody in the back court like that, there’s nobody better in the league for me to play with. So just really fortunate and lucky."

Since joining the Indiana Fever as a rookie in 2024, Caitlin Clark has helped push the team to success. Last season, they won their first Commissioner’s Cup and reached the WNBA semifinals with a 24–20 record, their best finish since 2015, despite Clark playing just 13 games due to injury. During that time, Kelsey Mitchell stepped up and carried much of the team’s load.

She played all 44 games and averaged a career-high 20.2 points on 45.6% shooting, along with 1.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.5 three-pointers per game.

Mitchell finished fifth in MVP voting and earned All-WNBA First Team honors, and Clark acknowledged her value at training camp.

Mitchell led the team through injuries but suffered one herself in the final game, experiencing rhabdomyolysis. Despite that, she said this week the experience is motivating her heading into the 2026 season.

Kelsey Mitchell on Her Recovery and Motivation for 2026

“If I gotta do it all over again and let my body fall out the way it did, I'm going to do it. I love the game that much. I love competing that much," Kelsey Mitchell said recently.

Mitchell is referring to Game 5 of the semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces on September 30, 2025. She had gone down in the third quarter with severe cramping. She was later hospitalized, treated with IV fluids, and released the same night.

Later, she confirmed she had been given the green light to return to the court in about two weeks. Despite the injury, she said she had no regrets and would do it all again for her team.

"Lord willing, it don't happen again like that. Hopefully it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but I'm going to die on my sword every game, every time."

Even with the excitement from both Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark about being back on the court, last season’s experiences will likely shape how the Indiana Fever approach 2026. That said, can the Indiana Fever build on last year’s run, or will injuries again shape their season? What do you think?

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma