The 2025 WNBA season saw Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell deliver an impressive and resilient performance. Despite numerous injuries affecting her team and the challenges that came with it, Mitchell stood out as a key player.
However, when the MVP voting concluded, Mitchell only managed to secure fifth place, a result that left many fans and analysts questioning why she was overlooked for a higher spot. Several factors seem to have contributed to this surprising outcome.
At the beginning of the season, much of the attention was on Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s star guard, who was expected to lead the team offensively. Unfortunately, Clark suffered an injury that sidelined her for a significant portion of the season.
This development shifted the spotlight onto Mitchell, who stepped up admirably to carry the team during Clark’s absence. Despite her stellar play, many believe that Mitchell’s efforts were overshadowed by the initial hype surrounding Clark’s expected impact.
Why Kelsey Mitchell didn’t win the MVP
WNBA analyst Rachel DeMita pointed out that the MVP award often heavily factors in a player’s impact over the entire regular season.
“If you see the kind of turmoil and all the things that the Fever have been through in the way that Kelsey Mitchell has really put this team on her back, especially with Caitlin being out and scoring the way that she has scored this season, and just all the things that she’s doing,” DeMita said on the Courtside Club Podcast.
“I do kind of think that Kelsey Mitchell has flown under the radar this whole season. And the MVP award is a regular-season award, so you can’t really take into account what these players are doing in the playoffs.”
Since Clark’s injury came early on, voters’ attention remained largely fixated on her potential rather than fully appreciating Mitchell’s contributions during the majority of the season.
This early focus on Clark may have inadvertently caused Mitchell’s standout performances to go underappreciated when it came time to cast MVP votes.
Another important aspect influencing Mitchell’s MVP candidacy is her personality and style of play. Unlike some other MVP contenders known for their flamboyance or high-energy celebrations, Mitchell maintains a consistent and humble approach on the court.
Her playing style is steady, reliable, and team-focused rather than flashy or attention-grabbing. DeMita emphasized that Mitchell’s quiet demeanor and lack of overt self-promotion may have played a role in how voters perceived her candidacy.
In a league where charismatic personalities often sway public and media opinion, Mitchell’s more reserved presence could have made it harder for her to capture the spotlight.
Impact on the team is crucial
This contrast between her modesty and the more animated behavior of other candidates might have influenced the overall impression of her value to the team.
MVP awards rarely hinge solely on individual statistics; the performance of a player’s team is also a critical factor. While Mitchell’s personal numbers were impressive, the Indiana Fever as a team faced significant struggles throughout the season, including inconsistency and difficulty securing top playoff positioning.
Analysts frequently consider how a player’s efforts translate into team success when evaluating MVP worthiness. In this light, the Fever’s challenges likely weighed against Mitchell’s chances of earning a higher MVP ranking.
Even with Mitchell’s best efforts, the team’s inability to dominate in the standings may have hurt her overall candidacy in the eyes of voters.
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