{"id":202421,"date":"2025-10-04T23:46:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T23:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/202421\/"},"modified":"2025-10-04T23:46:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T23:46:08","slug":"indiana-fevee-notes-on-caitlin-clark-kelsey-mitchell-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/202421\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Fevee: Notes on Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two days went by before the team held exit interviews, and pride became perhaps the only recurring topic on an otherwise largely themeless day. Howard, one of the six players who spoke on Thursday, used the word \u201cproud\u201d three times in her first answer to a question. Later, she was asked what specifically she was so proud of when it came to the season.<\/p>\n

Because we\u2019ve been through so much since the beginning of the season. [Caitlin Clark<\/a>] went down\u2026 [Sydney Colson<\/a>] went down, [Sophie Cunningham<\/a>] went down\u2026 But we all stood together, we fought together, and none of us ever took anything for granted,\u201d Howard said. \u201cAt the end of the day, we\u2019re all just proud of each other and what we did collectively and individually\u2026 We\u2019re going to always say that we\u2019re proud of each other because we put in so much work to stay together, to overcome so much negativity through social media, through a lot of people\u2026 I\u2019m just super, super proud of how we handled everything that was coming our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The IX Basketball, a 24\/7\/365 women\u2019s basketball newsroom powered by The Next
The IX Basketball<\/a>: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX Sports<\/a>. 24\/7\/365 women\u2019s basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff and dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.<\/p>\n

In the end, the Indiana Fever were five minutes from a trip to the WNBA Finals despite several key injuries. Their season ended with Clark, Kelsey Mitchell<\/a>, and Aliyah Boston<\/a> (fouled out) on the bench, but the rest of the roster was able to push Las Vegas to the bitter end.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a testament to the style, culture, and chemistry the team was able to build this season. Head coach Stephanie White<\/a> built something that can be sustainable long-term, and with better health in future seasons the team will be a force.<\/p>\n

Their roster might change, especially with how many players ended the season on hardship contracts. They can\u2019t all come back. But the core is strong, the up-tempo and connected way of playing works, and the infrastructure got off to a strong start in a new era.<\/p>\n

\u201c[This season] revealed the kind of character that we have. The toughness, the relentless spirit, the flexibility, the versatility and coachability, honestly,\u201d White said. \u201cAnd I think laying the foundation of number one, expectations and number two, you know, what a healthy working relationship looks like because all teams aren\u2019t the same for our core group, I think is really important. And then learning what it takes on a daily basis to put yourself in positions for success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Usually, exit interview day is about a combination of reflection and projection. Indiana had some of that, with pride and free agency being central questions \u2014 though nobody knows what the league and offseason will look like with CBA uncertainty. But the Fever\u2019s exit interview day was about so many more things than the typical team. It made for quite a noteworthy end to the season.<\/p>\n

Want more women\u2019s hockey content? Subscribe to The Ice Garden!
In case you missed it, The Ice Garden<\/a> is now part of The IX Sports family!<\/p>\n

The staff of The Ice Garden has paved the way for women\u2019s hockey coverage from the college ranks to international competitions. Of course, that includes in-depth coverage of the PWHL too. For a limited time, free signups at The Ice Garden can sample all the work they do. Check it out, sign up now!<\/p>\n

Clark and Cunningham talk WNBA leadership<\/p>\n

Exit interview day was the first time that Clark or Cunningham had spoken with reporters in a while due to their injuries. That gave both of them a chance to discuss WNBA leadership, which has become a front-of-mind issue for many around the league after comments made<\/a> by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier<\/a> earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Cunningham spoke first, and she joked when sitting down that she was going to be good, or less contentious today. That didn\u2019t last long as she was asked why she commented \u201cI\u2019ve got a lot on my mind,\u201d while exiting the arena after Game 5.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just tired of our league. They need to step up and be better. Our leadership from top to bottom needs to be held accountable,\u201d Cunningham said. \u201cI think that there are a lot of people in a position of power in the WNBA who might be really great business people, but they don\u2019t know shit about basketball, and that\u2019s got to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cunningham went on to specifically comment on the poor state, to her, of the league\u2019s officiating and lack of changes made in that department. She is hoping that there can be more of a balance between fun and physical basketball. One of Cunningham\u2019s hopes is that former players with experience can move into leadership roles.<\/p>\n

Her complaints when it comes to leadership went beyond just refereeing. \u201cI think there\u2019s so much else, especially, when it comes to the CBA, that our leadership on that side is just very poor. Very, very poor. Napheesa hit it right on the head,\u201d Cunningham said. \u201cI don\u2019t think I really need to go into detail. But that\u2019s just coming from one player, and that\u2019s probably 1% of what she knows. Right? So just imagine what the whole league really knows [about] what\u2019s going on behind the scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The seven-year pro later said that a lockout would be a dumb basketball decision, business wise, and added that players, in her eyes, are not going to play until they are given what they deserve.<\/p>\n

Clark, meanwhile, was mentioned directly in Collier\u2019s comments<\/a>. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert denied<\/a> that she made such comments during her WNBA Finals media availability on Friday, but Clark fielded questions prior to that response.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is straight up the most important moment in this league\u2019s history,\u201d she began. \u201cI think the points [Collier] made were very valid,\u201d Clark added later, while telling reporters that she hadn\u2019t heard the stories Collier told prior to them being made public.<\/p>\n

When asked more specifically about great leadership and what it would look like at the league level, Clark said \u201cIt is all about relationships, and that\u2019s the truth. I know that\u2019s really hard to say in professional sports, but whether it\u2019s a relationship with your front office, whether it\u2019s a relationship with the Commissioner of the league, whether it\u2019s a relationship with your teammates, that\u2019s the most important thing in leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBecoming Caitlin Clark\u201d is out now!<\/p>\n

Howard Megdal\u2019s newest book is here! \u201cBecoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar\u201d captures both the historic nature of Clark\u2019s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.<\/p>\n

\"IndianaThe Fever huddle during the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on July 15, 2025. Photo Credit: Chris Poss<\/p>\n

Clark details her season-ending injury<\/p>\n

Among other important items Clark discussed during her exit interview was her health. She hasn\u2019t played since prior to the All-Star break with a groin injury.<\/p>\n

That was, at least, the initial concern. In August, a league source confirmed to The IX<\/a> that Clark suffered a bone bruise in her left ankle while the Indiana Fever were in Phoenix. Clark still worked hard to return but ran out of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy ankle kind of didn\u2019t allow me to really see where my groin was at. It was, I think, my second fullcourt workout back when we were in Phoenix, but I just went to make a move and unfortunately my ankle, like, completely rolled all the way forward in probably one of the worst sprains I\u2019ve dealt with,\u201d Clark said. It was a frustrating moment, but the star guard tried to stay positive.<\/p>\n

She had full intentions of returning and approached every day like she would, but between the two injuries it just wasn\u2019t possible. Clark\u2019s next formal five-on-five sessions may come with USA Basketball, who has camps coming next March that Clark said is her top priority.<\/p>\n

Mitchell shares details on the scary end to her season<\/p>\n

Mitchell fell to the floor with a scary injury during Game 5 against the Aces, and for a moment it appeared she was going to be stretchered out of the arena. She refused the stretcher \u2014 \u201cWalking out of here on a stretcher is just not gonna happen. Not doing that,\u201d Mitchell joked \u2014 and she was later taken to the hospital for fluids. It was originally thought to be serious cramping.<\/p>\n

Mitchell later revealed<\/a> that she suffered rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition during which muscles break down. She couldn\u2019t feel her legs at the time but is now recovering and walking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it just happened [due] to over-usage,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cI never played that long [into a season].\u201d<\/p>\n

Eventually, laying on the hardwood Mitchell gained feeling again in her toes. That made her feel better. Her doctors described the injury as a once-in-a-lifetime event, and she now needs to rest and reset. When asked more about overuse, Mitchell first came in with a joke. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I\u2019m blaming Steph for practicing,\u201d she said with a small laugh. Then, she got serious. \u201cYou\u2019re a professional. You do what you have to do. You commit to the work. There\u2019s no, you know, complaining about it. I think it\u2019s just kind of what happened that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a scary situation, but Mitchell seems to be okay now. She has committed to play in Unrivaled this offseason, should that be possible.<\/p>\n

A free-for-all ahead in WNBA offseason<\/p>\n

Mitchell, Cunningham, and Lexie Hull<\/a> are all free agents this offseason and spoke about their decision during Indiana Fever exit interviews. Their answers are important, but it\u2019s more critical to explain that it\u2019s impossible to know what the offseason might even look like in the WNBA.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s going to be an expansion draft with details that still need to be finalized. A new CBA has to be agreed to. Until that happens and the rules are in place for every team in free agency, it\u2019s difficult to know what will and won\u2019t be possible for teams and players.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we control the controllables. You start prepping for the college season, for what\u2019s going on internationally, planning out our scouting both domestically and internationally. We are talking to all the players today, obviously focused on development plans for them, finding out what their needs are, and how we can support them,\u201d Fever GM Amber Cox said of what the offseason will look like with so much uncertainty. \u201cSo really just focus on what we can control, and as things roll out, we\u2019ll be ready to go. That\u2019s the biggest thing. Plan as much as you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cox later said that the priority in free agency will be Mitchell and making sure she remains in a Fever jersey. That context is all important and necessary. Here\u2019s what each player shared about their future and the chance they return to the Indiana Fever.<\/p>\n

Mitchell: \u201cI hope we\u2019ve got a league. So I hope that when it\u2019s all said and done we can have a season, period, for all the girls, for every person that has aspirations to be in the league and be the W. I think for one, that\u2019s the start, being on the same page with that and just making sure we have a league to start. No matter what happens, having a league is kind of big for us. I think individually for me, I\u2019m gonna take my time, figure out what my family needs. Losing a parent is a big shift. And so I take into consideration how my mom feels now. I take into consideration how my siblings and my immediate family [feel]. My dad\u2019s mom is still alive, my grandmother, and so that\u2019s big for me. Family is big for me. And so I think talking to them and figuring out what\u2019s best for us and for what I need internally is always going to be important. And I think that takes time. But I will say to the Indiana Fever, eight years, it\u2019s gonna be a lot to talk about because I have so much love and so much (admiration) for this place. And I think when the time is right, the great conversations will be had. But Indy is my second family, and everything I\u2019ve been through the last eight years, I don\u2019t think Indianapolis, Indiana, I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any other place that was greater for me, the growth and all that. So I think the right conversations will be had, and when it\u2019s time, I guess we\u2019ll all know.\u201d <\/p>\n

Cunningham: \u201cI have loved being here, and I don\u2019t think that\u2019s news to anybody. I think that just being back in the Midwest and being around girls who you truly do love, like I\u2019ve been in the league for seven years and I\u2019ve never been a part of a team like this. And so when you\u2019ve been through this type of season together, when you\u2019re invested in each other\u2019s lives outside of basketball, of course you want to come back. I\u2019m definitely going to be entertaining other teams, other offers, but my hope is that I\u2019ve had a great time here and I\u2019d like to continue that. But I also think with the new CBA, there\u2019s a lot on the line. And so I might be blunt, but I can\u2019t just not look at other opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hull: \u201cI\u2019m a restricted free agent, so I think that changes things a little bit. But I\u2019ve loved my years here in Indiana. So obviously, with a lot of uncertainty, you don\u2019t know what\u2019s to come. But I built a life here and I love this franchise. I love the people, I love the fans. So we\u2019ll see what comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Indiana Fever finished the season 24-20 before defeating the Atlanta Dream in round one of the WNBA playoffs and dropping a five-game set against the Aces in the semifinals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Two days went by before the team held exit interviews, and pride became perhaps the only recurring topic…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":202422,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[1760,4129,2839,4806,12814,4805,99,434],"class_list":{"0":"post-202421","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wnba","8":"tag-caitlin-clark","9":"tag-fever","10":"tag-indiana-fever","11":"tag-kelsey-mitchell","12":"tag-natasha-howard","13":"tag-sophie-cunningham","14":"tag-sports","15":"tag-wnba"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/202421\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/202422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=202421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=202421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}