Kelsey Mitchell competes in WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge after global tech outage kept Erica Wheeler grounded
Inside the last-minute scramble to try to get Erica Wheeler to Phoenix and ultimately Kelsey Mitchell filling in for her teammate.

PHOENIX — Don’t be mistaken. That’s not Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler in the photo above. Although it is her uniform being worn.
Kelsey Mitchell was willing to step up when her teammate needed her — and she didn’t have her own uniform.
In Phoenix for WNBA All-Star Weekend 2024, an audible had to be made after a global tech outage led to thousands of flights being canceled. That included a very important one for Wheeler, who was named to the Skills Challenge a few days ago.
A contingency plan was in place for Mitchell to fill in. She was at an appearance early in the afternoon when she was alerted — hey, this is final.
“I talked to E-Dubb,” Mitchell said, “and I was like, ‘I've never done this before.’” “I think it was just an adjustment, but I think it worked out because at the end of the day, it's fun.”
Mitchell missed on her second passing station, then later missed all three corner shots with moving lightsabers distracting in front.
Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream ultimately beat out Phoenix Mercury forward Sophie Cunningham for the title. And bonus money. The Collective Bargaining Agreement guarantees $2,575 for the winner. But then at the last minute, Aflac jumped on board to offer a $55,000 bonus to the winners of the Skills Challenge and 3-point Contest.
(Gray later won the 3-point Contest too, becoming the first player to ever win both.)
And if Mitchell had won, she planned to split it.
“Of course you got to break bread with your people,” Mitchell said in a hallway afterward with Fieldhouse Files and two other local reporters. “I would have definitely did that.”
Wheeler said on social media that Pacers Sports & Entertainment, specifically new CEO Mel Raines, did everything possible to try to get her there. Sometimes, though, things do not work out.
“My feelings hurt because I really wanted to be there,” Wheeler said in a video annoucnement. “I feel like it was going to be a great experience.”
Then she added on Twitter:
I am soooo hurt! But I do want to THANK Delta employees Geraldine Bird and Pamela Palmer at ATL for helping me thru out the whole day! Also Indiana Fever/Pacer CEO Mel Raines for calling all around the world to get me a charter flight but nothing was available!
The Skills Challenge was one of three events held on Friday night at the Footprint Center — along with a USA 3x3 scrimmage and a 3-point Contest. An hour before the night got started, which aired nationally on ESPN, Mitchell spent at least a half hour on the court learning the obstacle course and practicing.
“I let her down, but I was excited I did it,” Mitchell said. “I was originally going to tell them I can't do it. But I was happy I got there on behalf of her and the organization. My passing could have been a little better, but you go out there and you try it. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But I'm thinking that Erica would have wanted me to do it, so I was happy to do it.
“It was super fun. I’m thankful to feel like a kid again. You gotta take chances and sometimes it doesn't work out.”
Mitchell, 28, now turns her attention to Saturday’s All-Star game, her second consecutive appearance in the annual game. She’s the longest-tenured active Fever player, drafted second overall in 2018.
She will be on the same team as Fever teammates Aliyah Boston (2x) and rookie Caitlin Clark.
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Watch what they had to say earlier Friday.