Caitlin Clark gets upset over Kelsey Mitchell's treatment

Dubai: Caitlin Clark voiced her discontent after Kelsey Mitchell's remarks on the difficulties of playing together following the Indiana Fever's 2026 season conclusion. The Fever were defeated by the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, with a 94-83 loss in Game 3 on October 1. A'ja Wilson tallied 36 points as Las Vegas secured the series with a 2-1 victory, bringing an end to Indiana's season.

Mitchell, during her exit interview, touched on the heightened attention the Fever received since Clark's arrival in the WNBA. The experienced guard disclosed that teaming up with Clark had been challenging due to the criticism they faced as a result of her prominence. "Playing with CC, and having the eyes that she gets, we face a lot of backlash just for being on her team," Mitchell remarked.

Clark clarified her stance on her teammate's comments in her exit interview, emphasizing her disapproval of any usage of her popularity to spread racist rhetoric. "I think as her teammate, it makes me upset... I think as far as people who have used me to demonstrate racist hate or rhetoric, that's not something I stand for... It's never been something I stand for," Clark asserted.

She further praised Mitchell, stating: "There's nobody I'd want to share the backcourt with other than her." The 24-year-old has previously denounced racist and hateful abuse towards WNBA players. In 2024, she declared that there is no room for racism, offensive comments, or threats within the league, characterizing those who engage in such conduct as "trolls."

The controversy has resurfaced during the Fever's playoff run, especially following an altercation involving Aces star Wilson and a fan during Game 2. For Clark, the offseason presents an opportunity to build upon what she described as the best season of her career, while the Fever aim to capitalize on their improved regular-season performance to achieve a more significant playoff run next year.