The Prime Voice
TRENDING
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Los Angeles Sparks
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Los Angeles Sparks
No Result
View All Result
The Prime Voice
No Result
View All Result
Home Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever lean on Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell in wins

by John Maxner
24 August 2024
in Indiana Fever
0
Indiana Fever lean on Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell in wins

The Fever have improved their offense as the season has gone along. In May, they ranked 11th in the WNBA in offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions), but in August, they’re first. At the same time, their dynamic backcourt continues to build chemistry and crush defenses. Dominant play from their guards could be the determining factor in the team finding consistency and reaching the playoffs.

“I enjoy it. I just think basketball is a language, and you’ve got to get on the same page with your counterparts,” Mitchell said of her relationship with Clark, who she sometimes calls “C-Squared.” “Me and C-Squared like to play a certain way, and that’s fast and up-tempo. So I’m going to always align based on how she’s playing and how the game is going. I’m going to take it in stride because I enjoy it.”


The Next, a 24/7/365 women’s basketball newsroom

The Next: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX. 24/7/365 women’s basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff and dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.


The Fever currently have a 105.6 offensive rating with both Clark and Mitchell on the floor, per PBP Stats. When Mitchell plays without Clark, that number drops by about one point per 100 possessions, and in Clark’s minutes without Mitchell, that number falls to 98.0. They work better together than apart and force defenses to make tough decisions.

When Clark is handling the rock, opposing players have to keep their eyes on her as well as on their own matchup — her passing and scoring require constant attention. Because of that, opponents make mistakes when trying to recover or rotate into position.

Also Read:   Golden State's collective star power won the night against Caitlin Clark

Mitchell, meanwhile, is fast and lethal from long range. She has shot better than 37% from deep in five of her seven pro seasons, including this season. If she gets a sliver of space, she’s getting a shot up. Her combination of skills is hard to guard.

Someone has to guard Clark. That player can’t also guard Mitchell. Defenses have to give something up against the Fever, and recently, nobody has been able to stop the right things.

“I think we’ve gotten a lot better understanding each other as we’re playing the game [and] looking for each other when each other’s hot. [Mitchell] got hot there, made a few in a row, so you’re just looking to find her. I think in transition, especially, the way she runs the floor with her speed, I’ve always got my eyes up looking to find her,” Clark said after a win on Aug. 16 before describing a few types of cuts that have made the duo successful.

“That chemistry that you get used to playing with one another has taken time, but I think we’re really starting to get it down.”


Get 24/7 soccer coverage with The Equalizer

The Next is partnering with The Equalizer to bring more women’s sports stories to your inbox. Subscribers to The Next receive 50% off their subscription to The Equalizer for 24/7 coverage of women’s soccer.


Per PBP Stats, Clark’s effective field goal percentage while playing with Mitchell is 52.7%. Without Mitchell, that number drops to 47.4%. Mitchell has 13 assists to Clark this season, which is the most of any player on the Fever roster. Clark has 50 dimes to Mitchell — only outdone by her passing connection with Aliyah Boston.

Also Read:   It didn't take long for Temi Fagbenle to find her fit in Indiana

The two guards make each other better and make the team more efficient. Recently, it has helped them steamroll high-level opponents.

Indiana Fever players, including guards Caitlin Clark (22) and Kelsey Mitchell (0), huddle up after a game against the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 2024. (Photo credit: Domenic Allegra | The Next)

“With this being such a young team with no experience together, as the season goes, they start recognizing things with each other,” Indiana head coach Christie Sides said. “Caitlin had a couple of possessions where she knew that Kelsey was hot. She didn’t even need me to call what we were going to run in a dead ball situation; she went right into something that we have in for Kelsey.”

Sides later shared more details about how, through conversations and experience, she and Clark have learned to see the game through each other’s eyes. “That’s just growth. It’s just these guys getting to know each other and trusting each other,” she said.

The Fever smacked the Seattle Storm and topped the Phoenix Mercury last weekend. It was their best two-game stretch of the season, and maybe even the last few seasons. They scored over 90 points in both games and have now done that in four of their last five outings.

Against the Mercury on Aug. 16, Clark had 29 points and 10 assists. Mitchell was close behind with 28 points. Two days later, the rookie scored 23 points and added nine assists against the Storm, while Mitchell had 27 points.

On the season, Indiana is 3-0 when both guards reach 20 points. As their chemistry grows, so do the number of wins for the Fever. Mitchell and Clark have led the Fever to seventh in the WNBA standings, two games ahead of the Chicago Sky for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Also Read:   Indiana Fever waive youngsters, introduce Natasha Howard

Add Locked On Women’s Basketball to your daily routine

Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.


“I think she’s so unique. Honestly, I think her speed, there’s nobody I’ve played with that has the speed that she has, and the way she can finish around the rim but also be a really good catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter. She creates off the dribble,” Clark said of Mitchell. “I don’t think there’s really anybody I’ve played with that’s similar to her from a standpoint of how she can do multiple different things.

“And for her size, it’s really impressive, too. She finishes around the basket really well for her size. … I think you can see us starting to develop our chemistry more and more. Especially in transition, she’s really starting to read my eyes and read exactly what I want here and there in transition. It’s created a lot of fun plays for us.”

Those plays are more than just fun, though. They’re effective, and they’re leading to wins — and a potential playoff berth — for the Indiana Fever.

Related Posts

Indiana Fever: Notes on Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell injuries
Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever: Notes on Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell injuries

5 October 2025
The Indiana Fever fought to the end, and they did it together
Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever fought to the end, and they did it together

2 October 2025
Stars shine, but the group effort is what fuels the Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever

Stars shine, but the group effort is what fuels the Indiana Fever

29 September 2025
Fever must solve Aces paint defense to come back in playoff series
Indiana Fever

Fever must solve Aces paint defense to come back in playoff series

28 September 2025
Indiana Fever need more from depth to overcome Las Vegas Aces
Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever need more from depth to overcome Las Vegas Aces

26 September 2025
Indiana Fever showed Las Vegas Aces who they really are
Indiana Fever

Indiana Fever showed Las Vegas Aces who they really are

23 September 2025
Next Post
Alana Beard enters Mystics Hall of Fame, inspires current guards

Alana Beard enters Mystics Hall of Fame, inspires current guards

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • 312 Followers

Recommended

Indiana Fever lean on Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell in wins

Indiana Fever lean on Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell in wins

24 August 2024
Same Stage, Different Role for Natisha Hiedeman » Winsidr

Same Stage, Different Role for Natisha Hiedeman » Winsidr

14 June 2024
WNBA releases 2025 regular-season schedule

WNBA releases 2025 regular-season schedule

3 December 2024
Analyzing the Franchise’s Transition » Winsidr

Analyzing the Franchise’s Transition » Winsidr

15 June 2024
Connecticut's Saniya Rivers adjusts motivation to play for her mom

Connecticut’s Saniya Rivers adjusts motivation to play for her mom

1 June 2025
Sights and sounds from a historic day at TD Garden

Sights and sounds from a historic day at TD Garden

22 August 2024

About Us

At ThePrime Voice, we are passionate about bringing you the latest and most exciting developments in the world of technology. Our mission is to simplify the complex, making tech news accessible to everyone, whether you’re a seasoned tech enthusiast or just starting your journey into the digital realm.

Categories

  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Las Vegas Aces
  • Los Angeles Sparks
  • New York Liberty
  • Seattle Storm
Live from the WNBA Finals: A'ja Wilson gives the Aces a 3-0 lead

Live from the WNBA Finals: A’ja Wilson gives the Aces a 3-0 lead

10 October 2025
How the Aces stars shined in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals

How the Aces stars shined in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals

9 October 2025
Dana Evans and Jewell Loyd help secure the Aces' Game 1 victory

Dana Evans and Jewell Loyd help secure the Aces’ Game 1 victory

5 October 2025
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Copyright © 2024 - The Prime Voice. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Dallas Wings
  • Indiana Fever
  • Los Angeles Sparks

Copyright © 2024 - The Prime Voice. All Rights Reserved.