The Indiana Fever saw their inspiring playoff run end on Tuesday night against the Las Vegas Aces, closing a season marked by resilience and perseverance as Stephanie White aims to uplift her players.
Despite numerous injuries and roster challenges, the team pushed the two-time MVP, A’ja Wilson, and her group of 2023 WNBA champions to a decisive Game 5, demonstrating valiant grit and determination.
Entering the postseason as the sixth seed, the Fever overcame long odds, winning elimination games and testing the depth of the league’s most experienced roster with the likes of Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham suffering season-ending injuries.
Key players like Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell carried the team offensively while younger and returning stars provided support in a campaign notable not only for results, but for the character displayed by the squad.
And after the overtime defeat on Tuesday, September 30, The Fever‘s head coach Stephanie White delivered an emotional message to her players to try to lift them up after their successful season.
“They have been an absolute joy to coach,” White said, holding back tears.
“It’s an incredible group of women, an incredibly connected group.
“They’re a great example to everybody what it means to just put one foot in front of the other, to persevere, to welcome people into the fold, to not give in to circumstance, to lead with grace and dignity, to sacrifice for a greater good and a common good.
“I’m just I’m so thankful to coach these women and I’m just thankful for this experience with them.”
Kelsey Mitchell injury: What do we know?
The Fever forced Game 5 after a spirited performance in Game 4 at home, where Boston recorded 14 rebounds and 24 points while Mitchell added 25 points.
In the decisive game, Mitchell exited in the third quarter due to severe lower-body cramping, scoring 15 points before being taken to a hospital for fluids.Even in her absence, pushing the game into overtime before falling 107-98.
The Fever had already been coping with multiple absences, including two-time All-Star Clark and key contributors like Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Damiris Dantas, Sydney Colson, and Chloe Bibby.
Their effort against the Aces underscored the depth and resilience of the roster but eyes now turn to a health update for Mitchell, who was visibly in discomfort after a foul.
Boston, grabbed her leg and lay her on the floor to try to relieve the pain as teammates shielded her with towels, before a stretcher was brought out, but Mitchell left the court with assistance.
A’ja Wilson, the four-time league MVP, praised Mitchell by saying, “She’s just had a phenomenal season. I really hope the Indiana Fever take care of her. She’s a phenomenal person, and I hate seeing her go down.”
This season, Mitchell averaged 20.2 points per game in the regular season and 23.3 in the playoffs, becoming only the second player in WNBA history to score 100 points in their first playoff semifinal appearance.
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