Kelsey Mitchell Makes History: Breaking Indiana Fever’s Three-Point Record
In a remarkable display of shooting prowess that will be remembered for years to come, Kelsey Mitchell etched her name into Indiana Fever franchise history during Wednesday’s matchup against the New York Liberty, surpassing legendary player Tamika Catchings to become the franchise’s all-time leader in three-pointers made. Despite the Fever’s challenging first-half performance, where they found themselves trailing 53-38 against a formidable Liberty squad, Mitchell’s individual brilliance shone through with a spectacular shooting display that demonstrated why she has become such an integral part of the organization’s identity and future aspirations.
The 29-year-old guard’s historic achievement came through her consistent excellence from beyond the arc, as she connected on two crucial three-pointers during her four attempts in the first half alone, showcasing the precise shooting mechanics and clutch gene that have defined her career with the Fever organization. Mitchell entered the contest with 605 career three-pointers made while wearing the Fever uniform, positioning herself just one successful attempt away from surpassing Catchings’ longstanding record of 606 three-pointers, a milestone that had stood as a testament to the former star’s incredible career and shooting ability throughout her tenure with the franchise.
When Mitchell successfully converted her record-breaking three-pointer, the moment represented far more than just a statistical achievement, as it symbolized the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the franchise through both triumphant seasons and challenging rebuilding periods. The official Fever social media account immediately recognized the historic significance of the moment, posting an enthusiastic message that read “FRANCHISE RECORD” followed by the declaration that “Kelsey Mitchell has passed Tamika Catchings for the most three-pointers made in franchise history with 607 and counting,” celebrating not only the achievement itself but also the ongoing nature of Mitchell’s continuing career and potential for further record-breaking performances.
The fan response to Mitchell’s historic accomplishment was overwhelmingly positive and demonstrated the deep appreciation that the Fever faithful have developed for a player who has remained loyal to the organization through various ups and downs throughout her professional career. One particularly heartfelt comment from a supporter emphasized Mitchell’s dedication by stating, “Kelsey Mitchell is a Fever legend. She stayed with the team through a 5-31 record and is now reaping the rewards,” highlighting the guard’s commitment during one of the franchise’s most challenging seasons in recent memory and her perseverance through difficult circumstances that might have prompted other players to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Additional fan reactions captured the excitement and admiration surrounding Mitchell’s achievement, with supporters offering congratulations and encouragement for continued success, including messages such as “Congrats Kelsey. Keep it coming,” “Queen Goat,” and “Congrats kels. You were one of our famous Splash Sisters last year until White changed everything,” the latter comment referencing the team’s previous offensive dynamics and the evolution of their playing style under current management and coaching staff.
Beyond the franchise record, Mitchell’s historic three-pointer also elevated her position on the WNBA’s all-time three-pointers made leaderboard, where she successfully claimed the 11th spot from none other than Tamika Catchings herself, demonstrating that her shooting excellence extends beyond just franchise significance to league-wide recognition. This dual achievement—surpassing Catchings both in franchise history and on the league’s all-time list—created a particularly meaningful moment that connected Mitchell’s current excellence with the legendary career of one of the WNBA’s most respected players and former Fever icons.
Looking ahead, Mitchell now finds herself in prime position to continue climbing the WNBA’s all-time three-point leaderboard, with Seattle Storm’s Jewell Loyd currently occupying the 10th position with 610 successful three-pointers made throughout her career. This proximity to the top 10 creates an exciting opportunity for Mitchell to further cement her legacy as one of the premier three-point shooters in league history, while simultaneously continuing to build upon her franchise record with every successful attempt from beyond the arc.
The timing of Mitchell’s record-breaking performance, coming during a first half where the Fever struggled offensively and found themselves in a significant deficit, served as a reminder of her ability to provide individual brilliance even when the team’s collective performance falls short of expectations. Her 13 points on efficient 4-of-8 shooting, combined with her 2-of-4 three-point performance, demonstrated the type of consistent scoring threat that has made her such a valuable asset to the organization and a player capable of creating offense even in challenging circumstances.
As Mitchell continues her career with the Fever, her new franchise record serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a foundation for future success, representing the type of individual excellence that can inspire teammates and provide hope for continued organizational growth and improvement in the seasons ahead.