This longtime Fever guard is 'finally getting her flowers,' and she steps up in elimination game

INDIANAPOLIS — Chants of "M-V-P" filled Gainbridge Fieldhouse as Kelsey Mitchell stepped to the line.

The outcome was all but decided by that point with the Fever maintaining a multiple-possession lead with 6.1 seconds remaining, and as she watched the veteran guard put the finishing touches on their 90-83 win over the Las Vegas Aces, coach Stephanie White took a moment to soak in the scene.

"Kelsey has been through a lot with this franchise and I'm so thankful she decided to come back and join us," White said. "I've enjoyed every opportunity I've had (to coach her)."

White wanted the opportunity to coach Mitchell when she signed in November on for her second stint as Fever coach. The veteran guard is a tenacious talent and an important, experienced voice inside the room. "Kelsey loves the game," she smiled.

"She wants to play," White continued. "And I'm incredibly proud of her and the work she's put in to get to this moment."

This moment — one that staved off elimination for the Fever and moved them within a win of a WNBA Finals berth — was unprecedented, unexpected and frankly, wholly improbable.

Indiana looked to be on its last, wobbly leg in the aftermath of Friday's Game 3 blowout, ready to succumb beneath the massive weight of their incomprehensible injury situation. Five players out for the season, another stuck in concussion protocol and at least one more playing through a diagnosed injury (Lexie Hull, back).

And still, this team found a way led by their longest-tenured player.

Mitchell trudged her way to 21 points Friday night, shooting a dreadful 30.8% with a 3-for-11 mark from 3 — this after shooting 28.6% in Game 2.

She returned to form and effectively took over the game alongside forward Aliyah Boston with Indiana's season on the line, scoring a team-high 25 points on 9-of-20 shooting with a couple triples and a 5-for-6 mark at the line.

Mitchell jumpstarted the Fever with a couple triples and nine points through the first 10 minutes, then helped them trade punches with Las Vegas over the final 20 minutes. 

When A'ja Wilson answered a Mitchell-assisted layup to draw the Aces within three late in the third quarter, No. 0 sliced through the defense for a stabilizing layup.

When the Aces mounted their final charge, drawing within four points with two minutes left in regulation, Mitchell converted a technical free throw, then nailed a 14-foot pull-up a minute later, finishing through contact to leave the Fever with an 82-75 advantage with 61 seconds remaining.

Less than a minute later, the 2018 first-round draft pick was at the free throw line as those chants of "M-V-P" rained down from the rafters.

"I'm thankful that our fans continue to recognize her greatness," White said. "She's finally getting her flowers."

Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals is set for 9:30 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN2).

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kelsey Mitchell MVP chants, stats, points in Fever win vs Aces