Kelsey Mitchell Reveals Code Word Fever Will Use To Ramp Up Defense For WNBA Playoffs

Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever lost a tough home contest to returning superstar A'ja Wilson and the defending WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces on Friday as the Fever's offense faltered with just 17 points in the final quarter in a 78-74 loss.

After the game, Mitchell, who led Indiana with 20 points during the contest, revealed what her team must do in order to improve on the defensive end of the court to beat upper tier teams like Las Vegas going forward.

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Mitchell said that the Fever learned about the importance of having a "sense of focus" vs. top teams like the Aces as well as the importance of locking in defensively and getting key stops on that end of the court.

"I think if we can stop trading baskets so to speak (the Fever will be more successful in big games)," Mitchell said.

"We call them 'kills. So if we can get three stops in a row, and then go score, we get a couple more kills, I think that'll serve in our favor going into the playoffs.

"Because those kills and getting those stops while you can get them is very, very important," she added. "Down the stretch when you don't, you're kind of playing catch-up."

The Fever are scheduled to take on All-Star Game MVP Arike Ogunbowale and the Dallas Wings Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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