Kelsey Mitchell was the Indiana Fever‘s best player in 2025. With Caitlin Clark playing just 13 games due to a groin injury, the 30-year-old guard stepped up big time and became the squad’s No. 1 option on offense.
The three-time All-Star averaged 20.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists, all while shooting 45.6% from the field and 39.4% from deep. She established herself as a legitimate MVP candidate, finishing fifth in voting.
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With Mitchell leading the way, the Fever ended the season with a 24-20 record, the sixth-best in the league.
Indiana surprised a lot of people in the playoffs as well, making it all the way to the semifinals, where they lost to the eventual WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, after pushing the series to the full five games.
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) looks on during a WNBA game.Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
It is worth noting, however, that the Fever came very close to upsetting the Aces in Game 5. Unfortunately, Mitchell had to exit the contest in the third quarter due to what appeared to be extreme muscle cramping. She was forced to go to the hospital.
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Days later, Mitchell spoke about her injury and revealed that she experienced rhabdomyolysis. According to her, it is a medical condition in which her “muscles stopped producing and reached its maximum capacity.”
“I went into a sense of numbness/paralyzing feeling with no movement from my lower extremities for up to 5 to 7 seconds,” Mitchell further explained in a social media post. “Because my muscles stopped producing positive blood to my bloodstream, my body locked up from a physical standpoint and from there fatigue and cramping settled in.”
Now, nearly three months after the incident, Mitchell has clearly recovered from the setback. She is gearing up to suit up in the second season of Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 league founded by fellow WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
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During Unrivaled’s media day on Monday, Mitchell was naturally asked about her condition, especially considering the scary nature of her exit the last time she was on a basketball court.
Mitchell confirmed that she’s “fine” now, although she did express hope that she doesn’t experience the same thing again.
“I feel great. I feel fine. I think I just had hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime experience, something I hopefully don’t have to experience anymore,” Mitchell said, according to CBS Sports. “I think God sat me down on purpose.”
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The second season of Unrivaled kicks off on Jan. 5. Sure enough, plenty of eyes will be on Mitchell as she makes her return to competitive action for the first time since the Fever’s playoff exit.
Mitchell will be playing for the new Unrivaled team, Hive BC, which is coached by Chicago Sky assistant Rena Wakama. Several of her Fever teammates are also in Unrivaled, such as Aliyah Boston, Aari McDonald, Lexie Hull and Makayla Timpson.
Related: Sophie Cunningham Reacts to Caitlin Clark Missing the Top 10 of Most-Searched Athletes
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
