Fever vet's legendary performance secures MVP discussion rights

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell just staked her rightful claim in the MVP discussion. The team faced another gut wrenching injury when Sophie Cunningham exited the game early with a right knee injury. Things appeared doomed for the Fever as they trailed by as many as 21 points to the six-win Connecticut Sun and only found themselves with one lead the entire game — and it came in the first two minutes of regulation. The Fever outlasted the Sun 99-93 behind Mitchell's career high 38-point masterpiece.

She created a three-point play with 44.7 seconds left in regulation that knotted the game at 82. Once the Fever forced overtime, Mitchell scored all of the Fever's points hitting back-to-back threes, and 34 of her 38 total points came in the second half. The dreariness on the Fever's bench for much of the game was palpable. The late heroics, led by Mitchell, saved the Fever's season, which was seemingly doomed after Cunningham's exit. The rotation is thin and head coach Stephanie White has been faced with obstacles all season long.

Kelsey Mitchell has undoubtedly earned an MVP consideration

After her massive 38-point performance Sunday, Mitchell achieved scoring the most points in a game by any player this season. She is also still the league's leading scorer in point totals this season (675). Until recently, Mitchell has not necessarily been in the discussion for league MVP. Being declared the league's Most Valuable Player isn't just about leading the stat sheet in every category - it's also about each candidate being a difference maker on their respective teams. Which, it's a no-brainer, Mitchell is just that. It's astonishing to think of where the Fever would be if they had chosen to not bring Mitchell back this season. She is a clear difference maker for Stephanie White and her staff. In fact, she's been the team's most consistent player.

The MVP shouldn't be a player that's just been picked off the league's top team. Yes, the Fever have had a disappointing season - mostly due to injuries creating a short handed roster, but Mitchell is the engine that keeps them going. Combining her stats and what she brings to the Fever is enough to put her name in strong consideration for the league's Most Valuable Player. She has undoubtedly been the Fever's most consistent player this entire season. Mitchell is averaging 19.9 points per game and currently shooting 45.4% from the field, which is just above the league average. Just because Mitchell isn't necessarily the face of the WNBA like Napheesa Collier, Aja Wilson and even her teammate Caitlin Clark, her efforts and selflessness are what make her such an impactful player.

Her Fever teammates have already started their campaigning for Mitchell to receive league MVP. Several of them took to social media immediately after Sunday's win to show their support:

Mitchell also staked her claim as the Fever's all-time leader in most games with 30+ points. She's been with the franchise through their ups and downs and is a valuable piece of their history — past, present — and what fans hope will include the future. She's only on a one-year super max contract, and it's likely the Fever will use one of their six selections for expansion draft protections on Mitchell. The credit needs to be put where it is long overdue, and that is on Kelsey Mitchell's resume for league accolades.

The Fever get a much needed break before returning to game action Friday night against the Minnesota Lynx at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.