Fever Coach Breaks Silence On Caitlin Clark’s Concerning Setback

The Indiana Fever are inching closer to the start of the 2025 WNBA season as they take part in their final week of training camp ahead of the May 17 opener.

While excitement is high thanks to the team’s new offseason additions—and with Caitlin Clark now entering her second year—there’s growing concern about a returning star from last season’s roster: guard Kelsey Mitchell.

Mitchell spent her offseason playing in China for the Shanxi Flame, where she averaged 23.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while continuing to get live reps in.

While overseas, the two-time WNBA All-Star fractured the middle finger on her shooting hand, and it still doesn't look good. Mitchell came into training camp with her finger crooked, sharing that "no one fixed it" while she was over there.

"I didn't do rehab," Mitchell said. "No one fixed it... No one helped me out in China... Probably healing on its own now. Nothing I could really do about it."

How is Kelsey even shooting??? Like wow! pic.twitter.com/IX8VVJ5dY7

— Kiayla (@CayZeeElle) May 7, 2025

On Friday, after practice, Fever head coach Stephanie White spoke about Mitchell's injury, saying there is "no concern."

“I forget about Kelsey’s finger,” White said. "I mean, she was playing great with it overseas, too. I mean, certainly, you know, her shot's a little funky in the way that it releases anyway, and I think that she's learned to protect it. So, for her, it's like, she's efficient, she's effective, until she starts complaining about it hurting, no concern."

Steph White on Kelsey Mitchell’s fractured finger:

“I forget about Kelsey’s finger … she’s efficient, she’s effective, and until she starts complaining about it hurting, there’s no concern.” pic.twitter.com/G6AkGBeqS5

— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) May 9, 2025

Despite White’s comments and her daily evaluation of Mitchell in practice, Mitchell’s shooting is definitely something fans will be watching closely as the season gets underway.

Losing a player of her caliber could be detrimental—not only to the team, but also to Clark, her backcourt partner.

The reigning Rookie of the Year would certainly miss the experience Mitchell brings—seven WNBA seasons—as well as her 19.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game from last year.

All things considered, Mitchell is the WNBA’s highest-paid player for the 2025 season, earning $249,244.

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