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Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell exited what would ultimately be her team's final game of the season with an apparent leg injury.
In a season that was defined by injuries getting in the way of their greater goals, Mitchell went down rubbing her left knee in the third quarter of Game 5 in the WNBA semifinal series against the Las Vegas Aces.
She went down on a non-contact injury with just over five minutes remaining in the period. Prior to her hitting the floor, Mitchell was seen reaching for her left knee in clear discomfort.
A stretcher came out to help assist Mitchell off the court as her teammates surrounded her to give her privacy.
Mitchell eventually refused the stretcher, getting help from training staff to make it to the locker room.
The Fever almost instantly ruled her out for the remainder of the game. Mitchell dropped 15 points before leaving the contest.
Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) left Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals with a leg injury
Teammates held up towels to provide some privacy to the star. Mitchell was helped off the floor and to the locker room after denying a stretcher.
Injuries affected multiple Fever players this season, including star guard Caitlin Clark
It ended up being the final game of Indiana's season as the Aces outlasted the Fever 107-98 in overtime to set up a WNBA Finals series against the Phoenix Mercury.
Rising star Caitlin Clark tweeted after the loss, 'So much to be proud of [heart emojis] shoutout the fans for staying with us all year.'
Mitchell was by far and away the best player on the Fever this season - finishing in the top-3 for MVP voting in the league.
The injury to the team's best performer is a cruel reminder of how Indiana's season had gone.
Multiple players sustained season-ending injuries - including Clark (groin), Sophie Cunningham (MCL), Sydney Colson (torn ACL), Chloe Bibby (knee) and Aari McDonald (foot).
In addition to the above, Damiris Dantas (concussion) missed part of the playoff series. Guard Lexie Hull admitted that she had been playing through a back injury.
Indiana fought through a frantic final minute to reach overtime, but did so without star Aliyah Boston - who fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
The Aces outscored the Fever 21-12 in the overtime period to reach their fourth WNBA Finals in six seasons.
