‘So unlucky’: Mitchell hospitalized, Boston fouls out as Fever’s resilient run busts in OT
Down two All-Stars in crunch time, Indiana pushed the Aces to OT before coming up short in Game 5 — an all-too-familiar scenario that reflected their season-long grit.
LAS VEGAS — When the Indiana Fever lined up for overtime of their winner-take-all Game 5 on Tuesday night, their five included two guards signed to hardship contracts in August and just one starter from opening night.
For the final five minutes of their season, Indiana had eight players unavailable. Las Vegas, meanwhile, didn’t have a single name on its injury report.
Caitlin Clark and cast of five others remained out, but All-Star center Aliyah Boston fouled out and All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell was at the hospital getting fluids for “a lot of lower-body cramping,” head coach Stephanie White shared postgame.
“Unfortunately, we have a lot of experience in rallying around teammates. And this group is all heart, man. Like, it’s just really hard to put into words. They’re just special.”
Still, the 6-seeded Fever would not quit. They refused to roll over and give in.
Instead, White said, “I thought we continued to give. I think they made really tough plays, championship plays. And that was it.”
This game was a microcosm of their 2025 season. Despite having the most unusual set of circumstances, like a separate roster of players unavailable to conclude their most important game of the season, Indiana was within three points with 22.6 seconds left in overtime. But the Aces hit a couple big shots, including three 3s in a row to begin the extra session, then went 8 for 8 at the foul line to finish the game and the Fever’s season.
The injury-depleted Fever were outscored 21-12 in overtime for a 107-98 loss.
In their 53rd game over the last four and a half months, the Indiana Fever squeezed every possible ounce out of each individual with their season on the line.
Then in the locker room postgame, White was in tears as she told this group of 16 players how proud of them she was. It was a moment she’s been dreading for several weeks because it marks the final time this group would be together.
“They have been an absolute joy to coach,” White said. “It’s an incredible group of women, an incredibly connected group. They’re a great example to everybody what it means to just put one foot in front of the other, to persevere, to welcome people into the game, to welcome people into the fold, to not give in to circumstance, to lead with grace and dignity, to sacrifice for a greater good and a common good. I’m just so thankful to coach these women and I’m just thankful for this experience with them.”
Down Goes Mitchell
Once again, this was a battle. It was a prizefight that featured 16 ties and 13 lead changes. At halftime, with the Aces leading 47-45, neither team had led by more than five points.
So much changed for the Fever, however, with 5:05 left in third.
Trailing by four, Boston was whistled for an offensive foul as she completed a dribble hand-off to Mitchell. It was her fifth foul, thus costing Boston valuable time on the court.
During that stoppage, Mitchell’s legs looked wobbly and she reached for game official Isaac Barnett as she lost her balance and slowly dropped to the floor. With it happening on the baseline in front of the Aces’ bench, several opposing players raced over to hold up white towels to give Mitchell privacy.
Just one possession earlier, Mitchell pushed the ball in transition and knocked down a 3-pointer from straight on. She contributed 15 points in 23 minutes.
Boston joined the training staff on the court, got down on her knees for several minutes to be there for her teammate for the past three seasons.