Kelsey Mitchell, a standout for the Indiana Fever, is gearing up for her first WNBA playoff appearance. The Fever’s return to the postseason, after a seven-year drought, owes much to the impact of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, whose offensive prowess has elevated her teammates. Mitchell, in particular, has thrived with Clark handling much of the playmaking responsibilities, allowing her to focus on scoring.
As the Fever look ahead to a potential first-round matchup against the Connecticut Sun, a team rich in playoff experience, Mitchell is seeking all the wisdom she can gather. To bridge the gap in playoff readiness, she has turned to two NBA players with postseason experience: D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers and Miles McBride of the New York Knicks.
Mitchell shared her connection with Russell, stating, “We go way back. Me and him go back to the point where we trained together at Ohio State.” Russell’s playoff experiences, while mixed, provide Mitchell valuable insight into the intensity and mental fortitude required during the postseason grind. He knows firsthand how important it is to stay locked in, even when things aren’t going your way. Mitchell understands the need to remain productive, especially on nights when her shot may not be falling.
Reporter: “Is there anybody you relied on to ask about the difference in playoff prep, day-to-day thinking?”
Kelsey Mitchell: “I recently talked to my close friend D’Angelo Russell. We go way back. Me and him go back to the point where we trained together at Ohio State. We kind… pic.twitter.com/pvmhshw4aF
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 19, 2024
In addition to Russell, Mitchell also consulted Miles McBride, who played a key role in the New York Knicks’ recent playoff run. “I like to get as much information as I can,” she said, noting McBride’s ability to stay composed and play his role effectively under pressure. McBride’s fearlessness and unflappability, even in limited minutes, serves as a lesson for Mitchell to stay calm and contribute in whatever way possible, regardless of the circumstances.
While advice from others is invaluable, Mitchell knows the true test lies ahead when she steps onto the court. With the help of Russell and McBride’s guidance, she hopes to lead the Fever in making a deep postseason run, despite the experience gap between them and their likely opponents, the seasoned Connecticut Sun.
