Kelsey Mitchell ready for task that will define Caitlin Clark's return

Sitting out with an injury is not something Caitlin Clark is used to. She has been incredibly durable during her basketball career. The quad injury that has kept her out for four games now is the first injury that caused her to miss significant time with the Fever. 

While the injury doesn’t seem to be overly serious, Clark will need to ease her way back into playing at full speed. Fortunately, the Fever have plenty of players who can step up while Clark works her way back into shape. Kelsey Mitchell, in particular, has proven that she is up to the challenge and can step up as a scorer for the Fever with Clark sidelined or getting back into shape. 

Kelsey Mitchell has been great in the Fever’s last two wins

Kelsey Mitchell started the season with two big games against Chicago and Atlanta. Then, she struggled to find the bottom of the net. In the Fever’s losses to Washington and Connecticut, she only shot 25 and 26.7 percent from the field respectively. 

Then, the calendar turned and Mitchell stepped up her game to help the Fever secure two wins without Caitlin Clark. Indiana beat Washington in a rather close game, led by Mitchell’s 24 points, and then handily took care of business against the Chicago Sky. Mitchell was, once again, the team’s top scorer. 

Seeing Mitchell be the player to step up offensively in Clark’s absence is no surprise. Mitchell has been a big-time scorer plenty of times before in her career. Her speed with the ball in her hands and ability to get into the paint are a huge advantage for her. 

With two big back-to-back games, Mitchell has proven that she can step up as a scorer whenever the Fever need her to. At least for a few more games, Mitchell will need to be a major factor offensively, even if Clark returns. 

The Fever’s next two opponents are the Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty. Both teams are tough matchups for the Fever, especially if Clark is still sidelined or not at full strength. 

Clark could be available for the Fever’s next game

The Fever’s next game is on Tuesday against the Dream. While nothing is official yet, Clark may be available for that game. Even if she can play, the Fever won’t want to risk her reinjuring her quad or doing too much too soon, though. 

So, the Fever will either be without Clark or only see limited minutes from her, and it will be on Mitchell to lead the Fever to a win against a tough opponent. The Fever have already played the Dream twice. Both games were close, and each team secured one win.