Aliyah Boston makes emphatic MVP declaration about Fever teammate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indiana Fever have no shortage of star power. Caitlin Clark remains one of the WNBA’s most recognizable players. Aliyah Boston has developed into an elite two-way center. Yet when Boston was asked about the driving force behind Indiana’s recent success, she pointed directly toward Kelsey Mitchell. Boston did not simply praise her longtime teammate. She placed Mitchell in the league’s most important individual conversation.
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“Honestly, she’s really just the MVP,” Boston said. “I think that’s just what she’s been doing.”
The declaration might be viewed as a teammate supporting another teammate, but Mitchell’s remarkable production gives Boston a compelling argument.
Kelsey Mitchell strengthens WNBA MVP case
Mitchell is averaging 24.3 points through 33 games while shooting 50.9% from the field and 44.5% from 3-point range. Those numbers represent career highs across the board.
Her consistency has been even more impressive. Mitchell has scored at least 20 points in 17 consecutive games and surpassed 25 points in six straight contests, according to WRTV. She has become one of the league’s most reliable scorers during Indiana’s push toward the top of the standings.
Boston highlighted more than Mitchell’s scoring, praising the work she puts in each day and her commitment on the defensive end.
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“She comes in here and she works every day,” Boston said. “She gets up extra shots.”
That preparation has translated into a season unlike any other in Mitchell’s career.
The Fever guard scored 28 points in Indiana’s 106-92 victory over the New York Liberty on Tuesday. She delivered 20 of those points during the first half, helping the Fever build a commanding advantage over the defending Eastern Conference champions.
Clark added 22 points and 10 assists, but Mitchell finished as Indiana’s leading scorer once again.
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Fever’s star backcourt fueling postseason push
Mitchell’s individual surge has coincided with Indiana’s strongest stretch of the season. The Fever have won seven of their last nine games and improved to 21-12 entering Friday’s matchup with the Dallas Wings. Indiana’s backcourt has become exceptionally difficult to defend because opponents cannot devote all their attention to Clark.
Clark can control games with her passing and long-range shooting. Mitchell applies pressure by attacking from every level, using her speed to reach the basket while punishing defenders who leave her space on the perimeter. Boston provides another challenge inside, giving Indiana three All-Star-caliber players with complementary skill sets.
Mitchell’s MVP competition remains formidable. Several of the league’s biggest stars have constructed compelling cases, and individual awards often depend on a combination of statistics, team success and voter interpretation.
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Boston, however, sees Mitchell’s impact every day.
She watches the additional shots after practice, the defensive effort that might not appear in a scoring column and the nightly responsibility Mitchell assumes within Indiana’s offense.
“I’m really proud of her,” Boston said.
Mitchell finished fifth in MVP voting in 2025 after averaging 20.2 points and earning All-WNBA First Team honors. She responded in 2026 by becoming even more efficient and productive.
Whether that results in her winning the award remains to be seen. Boston’s endorsement makes one thing clear: Inside the Fever locker room, Mitchell’s historic season is not being overlooked.
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