Kelsey Mitchell Hospitalized After Game Due to Severe Cramping, Credits Teammates for Their Support
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell was hospitalized late Sunday night after suffering intense lower-body cramping following the team’s postgame session, head coach Stephanie White confirmed in a statement to reporters. The 29-year-old All-Star was taken to a nearby Indianapolis medical facility for treatment and remained there overnight for observation.
White explained that the medical team acted swiftly after Mitchell began experiencing severe muscle spasms in the locker room. “She’s stable and in good spirits,” the coach said. “Our priority was making sure she was hydrated and recovering safely. We just wanted to be cautious and give her the best care possible.”
According to team sources, Mitchell had completed a full 38-minute performance in the Fever’s victory earlier that evening — a grueling outing that pushed her physical limits. She had shown no immediate signs of distress during the game, but symptoms reportedly intensified after media availability, prompting staff to intervene.
Mitchell, one of the league’s most durable guards, has rarely missed games throughout her career. Known for her relentless conditioning and leadership, the veteran has been a key figure in the Fever’s resurgence this season. Her hospitalization, however, served as a sobering reminder of the physical toll that elite athletes endure during the WNBA’s demanding late-season schedule.
Team doctors later confirmed that Mitchell was treated for dehydration-related cramps and responded well to intravenous fluids. She was released from the hospital Monday morning and is expected to undergo further evaluation before returning to practice. The Fever have not yet announced whether she will be available for the team’s next matchup.
In a heartfelt post shared to her Instagram story early Monday, Mitchell thanked fans and teammates for their prayers and messages. “I’m good, y’all. Just needed a little recovery time,” she wrote. “The love and support from my team and the Fever staff means everything. Sometimes your body just reminds you it’s human.”
Teammates also rallied around their star guard, emphasizing the close bond within the locker room. “We were all scared for a minute,” said forward Aliyah Boston, who stayed with Mitchell at the hospital until late Sunday. “But seeing her smile again, joking with the nurses — that’s the Kelsey we know. She gives everything she has to this team.”
Head coach Stephanie White added that the incident underscored the importance of rest and recovery, especially for players carrying heavy workloads. “These women compete at the highest level night after night,” White said. “It’s a grind — mentally, emotionally, and physically. We’ll make sure Kelsey gets the care she needs.”
As the Fever prepare for the final stretch of their season, Mitchell’s brief health scare has become a unifying moment for the team. Her resilience — both physical and emotional — continues to define her leadership role on and off the court.
“Basketball is what brought us together,” Mitchell reflected in a later interview, “but what keeps us strong is the love and faith we share as a family. The prayers, the strength, the care from my teammates — that carried me through.”
For the Indiana Fever, the episode was more than a health update — it was a reminder of the human side of the game, and the bonds that endure beyond the scoreboard.
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