Indiana Fever’s Mitchell reaches 5,000 career points in win over Atlanta Dream
Mitchell’s 25-point performance ends Indiana’s two-game losing streak and improves record to 5-4
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell has become the second player in franchise history to surpass 5,000 career points, achieving the milestone during an 83-71 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Thursday. The win ended a two-game losing streak for Indiana, improving their record to 5-4 and moving them above the .500 mark.
Mitchell scored a game-high 25 points, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. The decisive basket that marked her 5,000th point came in the third quarter via a floating jumper in the paint. She joins former star Tamika Catchings, who holds the franchise scoring record with 7,380 points, as the only players to reach this threshold.
Following the game, Mitchell expressed humility regarding the achievement, noting that she feels "humbled" by the comparison to Catchings, who "filled a lot of great shoes." Mitchell emphasised that the milestone represented a journey rather than just an accolade, acknowledging that her success is tied to the support system around her.
"I'm only as good as the people around me," Mitchell said. She credited the organisation’s investment in building a strong roster, specifically citing teammates Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and Lexie Hall as instrumental in her development.
Mitchell’s current form has been a key factor in the Fever’s recent performance. Averaging a career-high 21.1 points through nine games, she ranks third in the league for scoring. She has recorded double-digit points in every game this season, including four performances of 20 points or more. Her consistency follows a career-best 2025 season that earned her a first-team All-WNBA nod.
The Fever prioritised retaining Mitchell this offseason, extending a core qualifying offer that led to a one-year supermax contract worth $1.4 million. Teammate Aliyah Boston described Mitchell as a vital leader and role model, stating that her daily example and commitment are central to the franchise’s culture.
Boston highlighted the excitement of having a veteran leader who continues to set high standards. "Kelsey was here before we got here, continued to give it her all, continue to show up every single day and we see that example in front of us," Boston said. "And so to see her get all these accomplishments and pass all these milestones ... it just makes me so excited to have a leader and a role model in Kelsey."
The milestone was also noted on social media, with the Indiana Fever account highlighting the specific basket on June 5, 2026. The victory underscores the team’s ability to capitalise on Mitchell’s scoring prowess while maintaining a cohesive roster structure.
