Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Spoon defeated Coop in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game by 129-122.
However, Boston did not have it easy. During a media session as part of the WNBA All-Star, she didn’t hesitate when asked who the most difficult player to defend is and, as if that weren’t enough, she had to face her on Coop.
‘Boston faced the player “hardest to defend”‘
During the press conference, Aliyah explained that her own Indiana Fever teammate, Kelsey Mitchell, represents a constant challenge because of the variety of offensive tools she has to generate points and plays:
“I think Kelsey Mitchell’s the hardest person to guard on the floor,” Boston said (via Athlon Sports). “Kelsey defends, but Kelsey can create her own shot in any different way – she can go back door, she can beat everyone off the dribble”.
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In addition to highlighting her offensive talent, Boston took the opportunity to call for greater recognition for the veteran shooting guard, who is going through one of the best seasons of her career with an average of 23.3 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in 27 games this season:
“I think it’s about time that people give Kelsey her flowers right now,” she continued. “It is like Kelsey does so much for us, so much on the court. She makes teams have to scheme differently… she just puts her head down and keeps working.”
Mitchell, selected by the Indiana Fever with the second pick in the 2018 Draft, has established herself as one of the franchise’s leading figures and one of the most dangerous scorers in the league.
Her ability to create shots from anywhere on the court makes her, even for her own teammates, one of the most difficult players to contain.
Meanwhile, Aliyah also highlighted that her teammate had been named a WNBA All-Star starter for the first time in her career, although that means having to face her:
“I’m so glad of all the things that’s going to come for her just because the person that she is,” AB said. “But I mean the way she plays and the way she competes is like no other.”
Although Coop didn’t get the win, Mitchell led the team in scoring with 28 points—the game-high—and added four rebounds, two assists, and five steals.
Boston’s praise carries even more weight coming from a teammate who shares daily practices and games with Mitchell. For the former number one Draft pick, facing Kelsey in practice is enough to confirm that few players in the WNBA possess an offensive arsenal as complete as hers.