Caitlin Clark isn’t the only star drawing attention as the Indiana Fever push for a playoff spot in the 2025 WNBA season. With Clark sidelined, two Fever teammates—Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston—are steering discussion around the MVP race, a stance championed by Dawn Staley in an on-air breakdown.
On CBS Sports, Staley did not mince words: MVP talk should include Mitchell and Boston just as much as Clark. “You’ve got to talk about Kelsey Mitchell, right? You’ve got to talk about Aliyah Boston,” she said, adding, in effect, that it would be a league-shifting narrative if the MVP hailed from Indiana and it wasn’t Caitlyn Clark leading the charge.
Renee Montgomery joined the discussion, underscoring Mitchell’s impact and noting that Boston may join the MVP conversation at some point in her career. Montgomery also pointed to Sabrina Ionescu as another name in the mix, highlighting that MVP debates aren’t settled by stats alone. Eye tests and overall impact on team performance matter just as much.
Staley doubled down on the argument: if we’re evaluating purely on contributions, Mitchell and Boston have each delivered significant impact this season. She cited the Fever’s 17 wins (with a likely 18th on the horizon) and argued that removing either player would noticeably affect the team’s success.
The Mitchell-Boston duo has become central to Indiana’s push. Mitchell’s stat line stands out: 26 points, three rebounds, eight assists, while shooting 33 for 70. That stellar performance helped the Fever post a 22-point win over the Chicago Sky. Montgomery highlighted Mitchell’s court chemistry with Boston, joking that Mitchell seems to “give Christmas gifts” to every post in the lineup, a nod to the seamless cooperation between the guard and the bigs.
With Clark on the sideline, Mitchell’s $249,244 contract and Boston’s continued growth have been pivotal in the Fever’s climb toward 17 wins, and the possibility of reaching 18 soon. Staley’s take—spotlighting Mitchell and Boston as MVP contenders—keeps their contributions at the center of the ongoing MVP conversation.
Additional value and context:
– This framing underscores Indiana’s depth and the league’s evolving narrative around the MVP, suggesting the award can hinge on team impact and not just a single star.
– The dynamic between Mitchell and Boston could become a defining storyline for Indiana’s playoff push, especially if Clark returns healthy and the trio continues to carry the Fever.
– If Mitchell and Boston remain in the MVP conversation, it could boost fan engagement and media interest in the Fever as a cohesive unit rather than a Clark-centric storyline.
Summary: The Fever are highlighting a broader MVP argument that recognizes prominent contributions from Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, reinforcing that a successful season can revolve around multiple impact players. The path to the playoffs could intensify these discussions as Indiana eyes a deep run.
Positive angle: This debate signals a hopeful future for Indiana, where the franchise builds around a core of star players who can carry the team even when one of their marquee names is unavailable. It also elevates the profile of Mitchell and Boston, offering them a platform to showcase their leadership and all-around games.
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