The Indiana Fever have another chapter in their roller-coaster season as Caitlin Clark sits out with a groin issue, thrusting Kelsey Mitchell into the spotlight. With Clark sidelined, Mitchell has answered the call, helping Indiana pile up important wins and drawing fresh attention to her MVP-caliber season.
Dawn Staley’s endorsement of Renee Montgomery’s MVP list adds an intriguing layer to the conversation around Mitchell’s candidacy. On a recent CBS Sports WNBA segment, Montgomery broke down Indiana’s latest victory, noting that Mitchell either scored or assisted on 25 of the Fever’s 48 points in the win over Chicago. Mitchell herself poured in 26 points and played a central role in the 92-70 triumph. Montgomery described the matchup as challenging, pointing out how a post presence like Elizabeth Williams can complicate a guard’s night at the three-point line, a dynamic Mitchell navigated with poise.
Staley, never shy about backing a standout, asked aloud whether Mitchell had made her MVP list yet, a question that underscored the ongoing debate about the season’s top player. Staley has long supported Mitchell, who earned the Dawn Staley Award for her college career at Ohio State, and her on-air push this week kept the spotlight squarely on Mitchell’s case. Montgomery may have laughed at the moment on air, but the exchange reinforced how much weight Staley’s opinion carries in these conversations.
Indiana’s win against Chicago showcased Mitchell in peak form. Since taking the floor in mid-July without a traditional guard, she’s been the engine driving the Fever’s offense. In the Chicago game, she hit four of eight three-pointers and produced clutch baskets throughout, including a third-quarter dagger with 2.9 seconds remaining that stretched Indiana’s lead. Montgomery praised the guard’s playmaking, joking that Mitchell’s passes feel like “Christmas gifts” for post players on her squad.
Yet even as Mitchell piles up big numbers, her MVP absence from Montgomery’s own list stands out to fans and pundits alike. Montgomery’s top MVP contenders highlight a crowded field. Napheesa Collier and Alyssa Thomas are among the strongest numbers-driven contenders, while A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston sit on the broader main list as two-way forces. Montgomery also singled out Rekia Jackson as an “X-Factor of the Year” when she’s at her best, with Kayla McBride getting praise for clutch performances with Minnesota.
The conversation around the MVP race remains highly competitive. Montgomery’s five-player snapshot, combined with a broader field that includes several standout performers, suggests Mitchell will need to keep delivering big moments to close the gap. If her current pace holds, and Indiana continues to collect wins, Staley’s endorsement could gain more traction in the public debate about the league’s most valuable player.
Mitchell’s recent run of form includes standout road performances that illustrate her all-around impact. In August, she posted 12 points, four assists, and a steal in Phoenix, then exploded for 34 points with six assists in Los Angeles. Earlier in August, she contributed 9 points, five assists, and two steals in Seattle and added 23 points in Dallas. Those games highlight Mitchell’s ability to produce against top competition and in different environments, a hallmark of an MVP-caliber campaign.
What this means for the Fever moving forward is clear: Mitchell’s versatility and leadership have become indispensable as Indiana navigates Clark’s absence. If she keeps delivering at this level and the team continues winning, the debate about MVP contention will intensify—and so will the public’s interest in whether Staley’s support translates into broader recognition.
Additional context worth watching:
– Indiana’s overall trajectory hinges on Mitchell’s playmaking and scoring balance with the rest of the guard rotation.
– The MVP race is inherently subjective and benefits from narrative momentum, which Staley’s continued advocacy could help generate.
– As the season progresses, every big game for Mitchell will be weighed against the broader field of elite performers already lighting up the league.
Overall, Mitchell’s rise in Clark’s absence offers a hopeful thread for Fever fans: a potential breakout season where a player steps into the spotlight and carries a team through pressurized moments. If Mitchell maintains this level of production, the argument for her in-season MVP consideration will grow louder, and Indiana’s playoff prospects could gain new momentum.
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s this: Mitchell isn’t just filling a gap; she’s elevating Indiana’s offense and testing the boundaries of MVP-level impact in a season that has already shown it can surprise at every turn. Fans can expect more high-leverage performances as the Fever push toward a key stretch run.