Stephen A. Smith argues Kelsey Mitchell over Caitlin Clark for Fever star

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Aug 8, 2026, 12:03 PM

Last updated Aug 8, 2026

Stephen A. Smith argues Kelsey Mitchell over Caitlin Clark for Fever star
Summary

Following Indiana Fever's 86-84 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces, Stephen A. Smith labeled Kelsey Mitchell as the team's best player, following Caitlin Clark's disappointing performance. Mitchell tallied 28 points while Clark struggled with 14 points and missed key free throws. Smith contended that Coach Stephanie White should rely more on Mitchell in crucial situations, criticizing the narrative favoring Clark despite her star status. As the season progresses, the Fever must evaluate their late-game strategy heading into upcoming matchups.

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By the Numbers
  • Fever lost to Aces 86-84 in overtime on August 7.
  • Kelsey Mitchell scored 28 points; Caitlin Clark scored 14 points.
  • Smith argues Mitchell deserves more late-game responsibilities.
  • Clark struggled with free-throw shooting and turnovers.
  • Coaching decisions could affect Indiana's future games.
Latest Updates
  • 12:03 PMYahoo Sports‘The Best Player on the Fever Is Kelsey Mitchell’ — ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Boldly Argues Caitlin Clark Isn’t Indiana’s ‘Star’
What they're saying
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Caitlin Clark’s disappointing Thursday night performance left the Indiana Fever with more questions than answers. After a painful 86-84 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Aces, the spotlight quickly shifted from what went wrong to a much bigger question: Who should Indiana trust most when the game is on the line? Stephen A.

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