Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2024, Caitlin Clark has boosted the Fever’s profile and brought more eyes to the league.
Kelsey Mitchell says her appreciation now goes far deeper than highlight reels. Ahead of Game 2 against Las Vegas, she reflected on Clark’s influence.
“As a friend and a player, you grow to appreciate her because certain doors have opened because she’s come to the Fever,” Mitchell said. “You have to respect that and I love the teammate and person in her because she’s accepted it with so much grace and even welcomed us with open arms to make this thing happen.”
Clark has reshaped Indiana into a contender in just two seasons. Last year ended in a quick playoff exit, but this run feels different. With Mitchell stepping into the spotlight and Clark’s leadership still setting the tone, the Fever look closer than ever to chasing a championship.
“That’ll Break the Bank”: Fever Teammate Mocks Caitlin Clark’s $200 Fine
Caitlin Clark may be sidelined with a groin injury, but she hasn’t been far from the action. The Fever guard has been locked in on the bench during the playoffs, celebrating every possession as if she were still on the court.
After Indiana’s comeback win over the Atlanta Dream in Game 3 of their first-round series, Clark jumped into the comments of a team Instagram post. She hyped up the reserves as an “elite bench mob” and slipped in a jab at the referees, writing that “even the refs couldn’t stop us.”
That playful shot came with a price. The league fined Clark $200 for publicly criticizing officials — unusual for someone not even suiting up.
Clark didn’t seem bothered. On Saturday, she revealed the fine in an X post, laughing it off and promising more energy from the Fever sidelines.
“Got fined $200 for this lol😂😂😂😂😂BENCH MOB WILL BE EVEN MORE ROWDY TOMORROW LETS GOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Clark wrote.
Her teammate Sophie Cunningham, who tore her MCL last month, reposted Clark’s message with her own jab: “that’s gonna really break the bank for her. starting a GoFundMe now!”
Cunningham has had her share of fines this year for calling out officiating, and now watches from the “Injured 5” with Clark, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, and Chloe Bibby.
For Clark, the $200 slap on the wrist only added fuel. The Fever bench is louder than ever — and with the postseason heating up, that extra spark might help keep Indiana’s run alive.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
