Indiana Fever Make Kelsey Mitchell Announcement After Eighth Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 11:04 PM ET

Without Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and the Indiana Fever suffered yet another loss, falling to 7-8 to begin the 2025 WNBA season.

On Thursday, Mitchell and the Fever fell to Dearica Hamby and the Los Angeles Sparks 85-75, marking the Fever's third loss in the past four games.

Ahead of Thursday's game, Clark was ruled out with a groin injury, which she suffered at the end of Tuesday's game against the Seattle Storm. Indiana is now 2-4 without the former Iowa star.

Still, the Fever were able to jump out to a 58-50 lead to end the third. But the Sparks were able to outscore them 35-17 in the fourth quarter, ultimately ending the game.

Mitchell finished the night as Indiana's leading scorer, tallying 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting and 4-of-9 from 3-point range, one rebound and four assists.

For her play, the Fever announced that Mitchell has been named the "Stat Leader of the Game," a variation of the typical Player of the Game award.

Kelsey Mitchell against the Sparks: pic.twitter.com/KzHP6h6JBx
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) June 27, 2025

Mitchell is coming off the best season of her career in 2024, making her second WNBA All-Star appearance. This year, she is tracking to do the same, averaging 18.1 points on 43.6% shooting, 1.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Aari McDonald also had a solid return to the Fever after being re-signed on Wednesday. She tied a season-high with 14 points, two rebounds and two steals. Azura Stevens was Los Angeles's top player, putting up 23 points and seven boards.

Mitchell and the Fever will now have their eyes set on the second game of a back-to-back, traveling to Texas to take on Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. With Clark listed as day-to-day by Stephanie White, she may be unable to play for a second-straight game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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