Fever achieve surprising Game 1 victory against Aces thanks to MVP finalist

Kelsey Mitchell Shines in Playoff Performance

Kelsey Mitchell hasn’t really shown off her abilities this season like other WNBA MVP finalists. Although she’s just as humble as many superstars in the league, often downplaying her successes, it’s clear she has the talent.

Her skills were on full display this past Sunday. In the first round of the WNBA playoff semi-finals, Mitchell scored a playoff career-high of 34 points, leading the way to an impressive victory over the Indiana Fever, with a score of 89-73, against the Las Vegas Aces.

Mitchell played incredibly well, netting 17 points in each half. The game had its ups and downs but ended on a high note for her team, with Mitchell sealing the deal by hitting three-pointers in the final moments, pushing the score to 87-71.

“This season, she’s been our backbone. Even when things got tough, she was there, uplifting everyone,” a teammate mentioned. “We need contributions from everyone to win, but Kelsey is definitely our go-to player. She can make tough shots when we need them most.”

While Mitchell may feel a lot of pressure on her shoulders, she’s also navigating new challenges in her career. Having spent her entire time with the Fever, last year marked her first playoff experience, and this is the first season she’s crossed the .500 mark.

Sunday’s game was pivotal; it was her first match past the opening round of the playoffs. Yet, she appeared completely in her element with the Aces.

“She made some really tough shots, it felt like anything she tried went in,” Aces head coach Becky Hammon noted. “We saw a variety—long ones, shorter ones, even free throws. She had a hot night and kept going strong from the start, scoring 17 by halftime and maintaining the momentum.”

“Honestly, there was just no stopping Mitchell,” she added.

With this win, the Fever gained a critical advantage away from home in the five-game series. They’re set to meet the Aces again in Las Vegas on Tuesday, then head back to the Midwest for the next round of the series.

There’s a lot of buzz about this postseason, especially given how the Fever managed to pull off their win Sunday, defying the odds. This victory was a far cry from their regular win in Atlanta, in which Mitchell also made a mark by scoring 24 points.

The Fever’s unexpected playoff surge has certainly kept fans on their toes. Still, what’s consistent is that Mitchell continues to excel, supporting Indiana through every loop of this challenging journey.

“Honestly, she’s just a natural,” said Brianna Turner. “If you try to stop her, you might be surprised. She’s incredibly humble and genuinely nice, but her talent is undeniable.”