LAS VEGAS — Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell opened up about the frightening health scare that forced her off the court during Tuesday night’s decisive Game 5 loss to the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
What Happened on the Court
Mitchell had scored 13 points in 25 minutes before suddenly going down in the third quarter. Initially described by the Fever as “extreme cramping,” the veteran guard was carried to the locker room and later hospitalized.
On Wednesday, Mitchell revealed the true cause: rhabdomyolysis, a rare and potentially dangerous condition where muscles break down and release toxic proteins into the bloodstream.
Mitchell’s Explanation
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the three-time All-Star shared how the episode unfolded:
“My muscles stopped producing and reached [their] maximum capacity. I went into a sense of numbness/paralyzing feeling with no movement from my lower extremities for up to 5 to 7 seconds. I panicked because I began to think the worst when I felt I couldn’t move my legs.”
Mitchell described the experience as her body “locking up,” followed by extreme fatigue and cramping.
Trying to lighten the mood, she added:
“In other words, I played literally til my wheels fell off, lmao.”
What is Rhabdomyolysis?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, rhabdomyolysis can be triggered by excessive exercise without rest or severe dehydration. The breakdown of muscle fibers releases proteins like myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can stress the kidneys and, in severe cases, become life-threatening if untreated.
Road to Recovery
Fortunately, Mitchell says she is already improving.
“I’m walking and moving at a slow pace as of Wednesday and will be okay soon,” she assured fans.
Mitchell’s resilience has been one of the defining storylines of the Fever’s season, especially after the team lost stars Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham to injury. Though Indiana’s season ended with the 107-98 defeat to A’ja Wilson and the Aces, Mitchell’s transparency offered fans both relief and perspective.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
