Caitlin Clark’s unfortunate situation draws honest take from Kelsey Mitchell

Kelsey Mitchell had to step it up on Wednesday night after the Indiana Fever lost Caitlin Clark to injury.

Clark tweaked her back in the second quarter against the Phoenix Mercury after getting fouled on a three-point attempt. She played through it, but the Fever eventually ruled her out for the rest of the game.

The Fever turned to Mitchell with Clark sidelined. The three-time All-Star did all she could, but Indiana still came up short, losing to Phoenix at home, 111-109.

Mitchell finished with a game-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, six assists, two steals and seven three-pointers in 38 minutes of action.

Clark, on the other hand, logged 19 points and eight assists in 20 minutes before leaving the game.

Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell comments on Caitlin Clark’s injury

Mitchell opened up about Clark’s injury during the postgame press conference. When asked how she handles such unexpected situations, especially in close games, Mitchell offered an honest response.

“You try not to think about it,” Mitchell said. “You try to keep your mind focused on what’s important for the rest of the team. It’s a next man up mentality. It’s unfortunate that CC wasn’t a part of it, but that’s what this job is about. That’s what this game is about.

“… It sucks that CC wasn’t part of it down the stretch. But this is what it’s about. You gotta be able to take the challenges as they come.”

As of this writing, it is unclear if Clark will be forced to miss time because of the injury. Mitchell, however, is prepared for any eventuality.

“I don’t think my job is too different,” Mitchell said on the added responsibility without Clark. “I think stay aggressive, be me, but also be able to make the sacrifice for everyone else around me.

“I’m one of those people, I want everybody to eat around me. And so if I gotta give two here, and give [Aliyah Boston] a three, and give [Myisha Hines-Allen] what she gotta get and [Lexie Hull]. I just think that that’s how we’re gonna be our best selves.”

It is important to note that Mitchell had her best season as a pro last year. With Clark limited to just 13 games in 2025 due to multiple injuries, Mitchell stepped it up in a major way.

The 5-foot-8 guard averaged a career-high 21.4 points on 48.6% shooting, 2.7 assists and 2.4 triples per game. She was named an All-Star for a third straight season, included in the All-WNBA first team and finished fifth in the MVP race.

Mitchell led the Fever to a Commissioner’s Cup title and to the semifinals in the WNBA playoffs. She is no stranger to being Indiana’s No. 1 option on offense.

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