Kelsey Mitchell addresses question about ‘disconnect’ with Caitlin Clark in blowout Game 1 loss: “Oh man!”

Kelsey Mitchell addresses question about ‘disconnect’ with Caitlin Clark in blowout Game 1 loss: “Oh man!” (Image Source: Getty)

Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell didn’t have the kind of playoff debut they would have hoped for. After clicking in tandem for the majority of the regular season, Clark and Mitchell misfired at the worst possible time as Indiana lost Game 1 of their first-round playoff series 93-69 against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.

Ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday, Mitchell was asked if there had been a disconnect between her and Clark in Game 1. The two-time WNBA All-Star swiftly dismissed the speculation:

“Oh man, I don’t think there was a disconnect,” Mitchell told the media after the game.

“I think that we were learning what it was like to play in a playoff game. And I just think that’s the reality. There’s no way around that,” she added.

Clark and Mitchell faced a defensive powerhouse as the Sun delivered an exceptional performance against both guards. Despite this, both players still managed to get several open looks from beyond the arc, but their 3-point shots just wouldn’t drop.

The Fever duo struggled from long range, combining for a dismal 4-of-23 shooting from 3-point land, with Clark hitting 2-of-13 and Mitchell going 2-of-10.

Kelsey Mitchell proud of team’s growth after Game 1 drubbing

Kelsey Mitchell acknowledged that the team’s lack of postseason experience, both among the players and within the organization, presents a significant challenge. The veteran guard emphasized the importance of adapting quickly and gaining experience as they go.

Mitchell also discussed her mindset, along with Caitlin Clark’s approach to the game, highlighting their focus on keeping the team first and above all:

“I’ve never been here, [Caitlin] has never been here, most of us have never been here,” she said. “And you got to see a disconnection throughout the course of our organization.”

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“The good thing is that you can look at Wednesday and say, hey, see how much you can learn and take… so I’m proud of that improvement. I’m proud of that growth.

“I think that me and C-square [Caitlin Clark] will always be locked in on what we can bring to the table as a group,” Mitchell added.

Mitchell and Clark will need to step up and deliver in Game 2 following their quiet playoff debut. The Indiana Fever’s hopes of forcing a Game 3 rest heavily on the performances of their two star players in Wednesday’s must-win elimination game.

Also Read: 5 reasons why Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever can upset Connecticut Sun in first round of WNBA playoffs

Can Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell force a Game 3 in their first-round playoff series against the Connecticut Sun? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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