Caitlin Clark Crowns Kelsey Mitchell as MVP — But Is She Really Carrying the Fever?

The Indiana Fever are limping through the 2025 season, battered by injuries and inconsistent play, but one name continues to shine brighter than the rest: Kelsey Mitchell. And now, her biggest endorsement yet has come from none other than her superstar teammate, Caitlin Clark.

With Clark sidelined for more than a month due to a groin injury — after playing just 13 games all year — the 2018 No. 2 overall pick has carried the franchise on her back. The Fever have lost Sophie Cunningham, Sydney Colson, and Aari McDonald to season-ending injuries, and without Mitchell’s scoring prowess, Indiana’s playoff hopes would already be dead in the water.

But is Mitchell’s heroic effort enough to warrant MVP chatter, or is this just Clark’s way of propping up her teammate during a desperate playoff push?

The Endorsement That Shook the WNBA

On Friday, ahead of the Fever’s matchup with the league-leading Minnesota Lynx, Caitlin Clark and her teammates wore custom “MVP Mitchell” shirts, a bold public show of support for the veteran guard.

It was the kind of symbolic gesture that grabbed headlines immediately, with fans debating whether Clark was simply recognizing her teammate’s grind — or trying to shift attention from her own injury-plagued rookie season.

Mitchell, however, brushed off the MVP hype when asked about it before the game.

“I always loved basketball enough to keep working at it and be my best at it, so I’d like to think that’s what you guys see now,” Mitchell told the WNBA on ION broadcast crew. “What you guys see is just me trying to be me.”

Mitchell’s Historic Season

And what fans are seeing is undeniably impressive. Mitchell is averaging a career-high 20.6 points per game in her eighth season with Indiana, firmly establishing herself as one of the league’s most reliable scorers.

Against Minnesota on Friday, she scored 27 points on 9-of-20 shooting, breaking the Fever’s franchise record for the most single-season games with at least 20 points. Even in defeat, her brilliance stood out.

But as Mitchell dominated, the Lynx’s stars proved why they’re championship favorites. Jessica Shepard turned in a flawless triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), while Kayla McBride lit up Gainbridge Fieldhouse for 29 points. The Fever fell 95-90, their fifth loss in the past seven games.

The Bigger Question: Can Mitchell Truly Be MVP?

Clark’s endorsement set the basketball world buzzing — but critics were quick to point out the obvious: Kelsey Mitchell is unlikely to actually win MVP. Her individual numbers are stellar, but Indiana’s record (19-17) and their late-season collapse hurt her case compared to stars leading title contenders.

Still, for this Fever team, Mitchell has been everything. With Clark out, Cunningham injured, and depth decimated, Mitchell has emerged as the only constant. Her 38-point outburst in a comeback win over the Connecticut Sun last Sunday showcased her ability to take over games single-handedly.

The Fever may not have the league’s MVP, but they absolutely have their most indispensable player.

What Clark’s Praise Really Means

Caitlin Clark’s MVP shoutout wasn’t just about pumping up a teammate — it was about survival. The Fever are clinging to the sixth seed, just 1.5 games ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks, and desperately need Mitchell to keep her foot on the gas if they want to stay in the playoff picture.

For Clark, it also raises questions about her own role. The No. 1 pick entered the WNBA with massive expectations, only to be derailed by injuries and whispers about durability. By handing Mitchell the “MVP” crown, Clark may be acknowledging that this is still Mitchell’s team until she can consistently stay on the court.

What Comes Next

Indiana faces the Lynx again on Sunday, this time on the road at the Target Center. Mitchell will once again have to go toe-to-toe with one of the WNBA’s elite teams.

Whether or not she earns MVP votes, her leadership and clutch scoring are the only reasons the Fever are still alive in the playoff hunt.

But Clark’s endorsement sparks a bigger, more controversial question: Is Kelsey Mitchell finally getting the respect she’s always deserved, or is this MVP talk just a sympathy narrative for a team that can’t win without her?

One thing is clear — as Indiana fights for survival, the Fever will go as far as Mitchell can carry them.