INDIANAPOLIS —

There’s been quite a bit of chatter surrounding the Fever this week. Interestingly, most of it has very little to do with their actual games.

In today’s social media environment, the Fever will likely remain in the spotlight as long as Caitlin Clark is on the court in Indianapolis. This week presented a new challenge for the franchise, especially after a tough loss to the Fire, which sparked conversations about an incident between Clark and head coach Stephanie White during a timeout.

After taking some time to reflect, Thursday’s match against the Dream led to what was, surprisingly, a more subdued but much-needed win. Indiana managed to control the game from beginning to end, making a key save early in the second half that set the tone for an easier victory.

This situation really tested the team’s dynamics, and it showed in their performance on the court.

Kelsey Mitchell expressed that all the surrounding noise was “tough.” “I think this really speaks to our culture. The energy in the group has shifted in the past few days since we were last in Portland. Our culture is all about adaptation. Days like this happen when we have those hard conversations—we really invest in each other,” she said.

“We did what we needed to do the right way. Credit to our squad for not getting consumed by what social media says about us. For us, it was about focusing on doing the right things this week. Winning takes a solid culture. Sure, talent helps, but the friendships and honesty within the team are what will keep us moving forward.”

Mitchell played a crucial role not just in the game but in fostering that team culture as well. Indiana led the first half and went into the locker room with a 38-29 lead, but then they faced a tough start to the second half, giving up a 14-4 run, trailing at 43-42.

In response, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and Mitchell quickly scored, reclaiming the lead for Indiana. That marked the beginning of a scoring streak for Mitchell, who ended it with a pull-up three-pointer, further widening the lead.

Mitchell finished the game with 25 points, shooting 11-for-15. It was her fifth 20-point game in just nine games this season, averaging a career-best 21.1 points per game and an impressive shooting percentage of 48.6%.

“I’m just trying to let the game flow,” she shared about her strong start this season. “You have to love the game and really grasp what it brings. I’m focusing on that… But as a team, we’re constantly improving. I depend on the people around me. We’re in a position where everyone has a chance to contribute, so I’m ready when my number is called.”

This strong showing followed Mitchell leading by example during practice. After a heavy loss to Portland, the team gathered for a meeting to address some issues before bouncing back during practice and in real games.

“I think everyone did a great job. First, Kelce set a strong pace all week. Secondly, we held each other accountable,” White remarked. “When you maintain that level of consistency during practice, it really shows in the games.”

“When you focus your energy on the team, especially when you’re struggling or not getting the playing time you want—rather than complaining—it turns everything around. Nobody likes to struggle, but when you lift each other up, someone will notice and have your back. Everything counts, and we need to keep growing in that direction.”

There’s always some form of noise around the Fever. All they can do is keep performing well, as they did on Thursday, to quell that noise. Yet, it seems that one poor game or viral moment could turn everything upside down again.

What Thursday’s game demonstrated is that the Fever have the camaraderie and culture to navigate through challenging times and come back stronger.