Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell Reveals Rhabdomyolysis Scare in Game 5 vs. Aces

LAS VEGAS — Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell opened up about the frightening health scare that forced her off the court during Tuesday night’s decisive Game 5 loss to the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

What Happened on the Court

Mitchell had scored 13 points in 25 minutes before suddenly going down in the third quarter. Initially described by the Fever as “extreme cramping,” the veteran guard was carried to the locker room and later hospitalized.

On Wednesday, Mitchell revealed the true cause: rhabdomyolysis, a rare and potentially dangerous condition where muscles break down and release toxic proteins into the bloodstream.

Mitchell’s Explanation

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the three-time All-Star shared how the episode unfolded:

“My muscles stopped producing and reached [their] 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. I panicked because I began to think the worst when I felt I couldn’t move my legs.”

Mitchell described the experience as her body “locking up,” followed by extreme fatigue and cramping.

Trying to lighten the mood, she added:

“In other words, I played literally til my wheels fell off, lmao.”

What is Rhabdomyolysis?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdomyolysis can be triggered by excessive exercise without rest or severe dehydration. The breakdown of muscle fibers releases proteins like myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can stress the kidneys and, in severe cases, become life-threatening if untreated.