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Kelsey Mitchell's Stunning Ankle Breaker and 3-Pointer Energizes Indiana Fever
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- Kelsey Mitchell's Stunning Ankle Breaker and 3-Pointer Energizes Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell and the Indiana Fever looked to earn a second-straight win on Saturday evening, remaining in Indianapolis as Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty came to town. The Fever were coming off a 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm on Friday, with Caitlin Clark scoring 45 points.
Indiana got off to a slow start to begin the game, falling behind 15-4 and struggling to stop the Liberty, a team that had lost three games in a row. And with the Fever in need of a big shot to get things going, and to stop a 6-0 New York run, Mitchell certainly delivered.
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Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With 6:49 remaining in the first quarter and the Fever down 11, Mitchell had a 1-on-1 against Liberty rookie Pauline Astier with three seconds left on the shot clock. The former Ohio State guard proceeded to jab with her left foot, causing Astier to slip and fall onto the deck - an ankle breaker.
Mitchell went on to finish the play with a step-back 3-pointer as the shot clock expired, decreasing New York's lead to 15-7. And the fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse finally had something to cheer for, giving Mitchell a big round of applause.
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The Fever reacted to Mitchell's ankle-breaker with a post on X.
"Kelsey Mitchell ANKLE BREAKER and buries the three 🔥," the Fever wrote.
Like the Fever, fans were also impressed with Mitchell's highlight, taking to social media to leave their thoughts.
"That's a highlight reel play. 🎥🔥 Kelsey Mitchell created the space, made the defender stumble, and knocked down the shot with confidence. Elite stuff," one fan said .
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"Kelsey Mitchell putting defenders on skates! 😱🔥 The ankle breaker into the three-pointer was absolutely filthy. What a sequence. 🏀," added another.
"Kelsey Mitchell just sent her defender the wrong way… then cashed out from deep. 🥶🎯 What a sequence," wrote a third.
"She's insane," posted a fourth.
"Ankle breaker. Step back. Splash. 💦 Kelsey Mitchell was in her bag on that possession. 🔥🏀," added a fifth.
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Following the Liberty matchup, the Fever will finish out a four-game home stand with a matchup against the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Related: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever Facing Unfortunate Development After Valkyries Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
