The Indiana Fever are finding out just how much they miss Caitlin Clark. In her absence, Friday night’s game against the Washington Mystics ended in another disappointing loss—and fans are pointing fingers at Kelsey Mitchell. With frustrations boiling over, Fever Nation made their voices heard on social media, sparking one of the hottest debates of the season.
The Fever dropped an 88–84 battle to the Washington Mystics, marking yet another game without rookie star Caitlin Clark. Clark’s groin injury has left Indiana scrambling for offense, and it’s becoming more obvious each night just how vital her presence is on the floor. Without her playmaking and scoring threat, the Fever’s offense feels stagnant and predictable.
Friday was a night Mitchell will want to forget. The veteran guard finished with 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting, going just 1-of-7 in the fourth quarter. Most notably, she missed a crucial layup with 14.5 seconds left that could have swung momentum back to Indiana. While Mitchell has long been a bucket-getter, fans are questioning if she can truly lead the team without Clark orchestrating the offense.
Social media lit up after the game, with many fans venting their frustrations:
@LawSzn: “Kelsey Mitchell 1st option hoops ain’t taking any team to the playoffs. She is a bucket, but she ain’t no floor raiser.”
@kerrrr22: “Kelsey Mitchell is going to lead this team back to the lottery for a seventh year without Caitlin Clark playing… The @IndianaFever need to run the offense through Aliyah Boston if they want a hope in hell of treading water until Caitlin gets back.”
Others pointed to Mitchell’s basketball IQ and late-game struggles, with fans openly debating if Indiana should shift the offense more toward Aliyah Boston until Clark returns.
Head coach Stephanie White didn’t shy away from the team’s issues, admitting that the offense has become too predictable with Mitchell forced into the lead role:
“It’s almost like we gave the ball to Kelsey (Mitchell) and tried to watch her work. Yes, we certainly want her to have the ball in her hands, but we have to continue to get movement with and without the basketball. And it was getting stuck.”
White pointed out that earlier in the season, when other ball-handlers like Aari McDonald and Sydney Colson were healthy, the Fever’s offense looked more balanced.
The bigger question is whether Indiana can survive this stretch without Caitlin Clark. Mitchell is talented, but without Clark’s playmaking and floor-stretching ability, the Fever’s attack lacks rhythm. Fans and analysts alike agree that Clark’s return is the key to reviving Indiana’s playoff push. Until then, the pressure will only grow on Mitchell and Boston to carry the load.
Comment Section Prompt
Fever Nation, do you think Kelsey Mitchell can step up and lead this team until Caitlin Clark returns, or should the offense run more through Aliyah Boston? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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