“It affects us emotionally, because nobody wants to see a teammate go down like that,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said after their embarrassing loss to the Mercury. Their West Coast road trip couldn’t have ended much worse. They had a 35-point defeat on the scoreboard, and two more names added to the injury list. Backup point guards Sydney Colson (torn ACL) and Aari McDonald (broken bone in foot) were both ruled out for the season, leaving Indiana even thinner at the one with Caitlin Clark already sidelined.
“But also, on the floor, that’s another point guard, a primary ball handler, someone who is a big part of our rotation on both ends of the floor,” White added. Next up, it was the Chicago Sky. That’s a team Indiana had already beaten three times this season. The stakes weren’t just about extending the sweep to 4-0; it was about proving they could do it without three key guards.
Post-game, Kelsey Mitchell summed up the mood with a smile and a sigh: “We got to laugh to keep from crying. Losing Syd was big. Losing Aari was big. And not having CC is even bigger. Those three not being here, we gotta take every joy that we can and enjoy it while we can, but also respect the game.”
However, by the time the official presser rolled out, her tone had flipped a complete 180. When the interviewer asked her about venturing into uncharted territory at point guard, Mitchell had every reason to grin. She racked up a season-high eight assists. On top of that, she also poured in a game-high 26 points, with only Lexie Hull (17) anywhere close. And keep in mind, she hadn’t played point guard since college… eight years ago.
Mitchell, of course, wasn’t about to hog the spotlight. “I think it brings out the vulnerable side of me. The leadership I need to keep getting better at. Being in the PG position helps with that. I believe in my team, and seeing my assists go up is just because of these girls. We have unbelievable chemistry when it comes to reading each other. They made me look good tonight.”
And they really did. The Fever’s ball movement was crisp enough to make a coach weep. They had just seven turnovers, and that cost them only six points, compared to Chicago’s 13 giveaways and 17 lost points. Indiana also led in every statistical category but rebounds and closed the night with style. This sent another clear message: even shorthanded and without Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s got Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell carrying them to the playoffs.
Indiana Fever Rolling Without Caitlin Clark
Alongside Mitchell, even Lexie Hull found herself in a position where Indiana desperately needed her to step up with their backcourt stretched dangerously thin. She usually plays as the small forward or shooting guard. So, the 6-foot-1 guard spoke openly with reporters before Saturday’s game against Chicago, giving an honest assessment of the team’s mentality during this injury-plagued stretch.
“Yeah, I mean, emotional day with some of our players going down,” Hull admitted. “Obviously, it’s going to be different out there, a different feel. People are going to be playing out of position. But at the end of the day, everyone’s bought in together and everyone’s all-in. Do whatever it takes. It’s going to feel different, but everyone’s just really pulling for each other. Next man up. That’s what it’s going to be.”
Hull didn’t just deliver empty words though, she proved them on the hardwood. During their victory over the Sky, she recorded the 100th steal of her WNBA career. She hit this personal achievement at a time when every positive moment carries extra weight. The milestone came while the Fever wore their special Stranger Things-themed jerseys. That detail adding some lighthearted fun to what could have been a tense, pressure-filled night.
While that defensive highlight stood out, her offensive contribution proved equally vital. Lexie Hull dropped 17 points, and formed the ideal complementary scoring option behind Mitchell’s 26-point outburst. For a player who has endured some recent struggles, this performance had all the signs of being a potential turning point; both for her individually and for Indiana’s season as a whole.
With Caitlin Clark out indefinitely and both Colson and McDonald lost for the remainder of the season, any positive contribution from Hull becomes invaluable, and hopefully for Indy fans, the momentum will be maintained.
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