A player's name being in the mix for the MVP award is the highest type of praise, short of winning it, in the sports world. But two players from the same team potentially being in that conversation? In basketball, it's almost unheard of. For the Indiana Fever, there's a fair case to be made that they fall into that rare category, thanks to the play of Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark. Comments made by Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston on their Post Moves podcast, in which they included Mitchell in the MVP conversation, sparked some debate on social media. Some fans believed Caitlin Clark deserved to be in the mix either with or instead of Mitchell. Fortunately, considering Mitchell and Clark appear to get along great on the court and the Fever are playing extremely well, the fan-fed MVP debate has exactly zero effect on the team. Here's a look at who Parker listed as current WNBA MVP candidates, with Boston openly chiming in to ensure Mitchell's name was on that list:
A'ja Wilson Olivia Miles Kelsey Mitchell Paige Bueckers
Parker's comments and list seem to be entirely fair. However, I wanted to get two different opinions on the talk about Mitchell or Clark, so I called the one person with the most WNBA knowledge I've probably ever met to chime in. Cory Woodroof, longtime FTW writer, gave his side of the argument and put his support (for this season) behind Mitchell. Kelsey Mitchell's MVP candidate argument
Cory also laid out his thoughts on Clark's future MVP candidacy in the verdict section and has high praise for both players. However, here's why he'd take Mitchell to be this year's Fever MVP candidate: "Kelsey Mitchell is in the middle of the greatest scoring run in WNBA history. Even on an off night by her standards on Sunday in Atlanta, she still kept her 19-game streak of scoring 20-plus points alive. She can somehow score 20 points quietly. That's unreal." "She's the league's second-best scorer in points averaged (24.2), only behind A'ja Wilson. Even with a generational scorer on the roster like Clark, you could make the argument that Mitchell's relentless speed and sharp scoring from any part of the court make her the league's most dangerous guard on offense. When she's on, nobody can slow her down. There's a reason Olivia Miles called guarding Mitchell her low-key 'welcome to the WNBA' moment." — Cory Woodroof Caitlin Clark's MVP candidate argument
Admittedly, I was torn between Mitchell and Clark. I think the argument for either player is fair, but I decided to put together the case for Clark, and I believe it's fair. "Caitlin Clark is on pace for set career-high marks in points per game (22.0), and is doing so while tallying career-high marks in field goal percentage (45%) and three-point percentage (35.4%). But for me, her ability as a playmaker and how she makes her teammates thrive are even more significant." "Her 8.3 assists per game don't even tell the entire story, as she's consistently made the right pass/play at the right time during key moments throughout the season. Regardless, she ranks No. 3 in the league in scoring (behind Wilson and Mitchell) and No. 1 in assists. I'm a big fan of players who can both consistently find the bottom of the net and take on the role of facilitator at the same time, which sells me on Clark." — Jeff Smith Verdict on Mitchell vs. Clark as a WNBA MVP candidate in 2026
It's obvious both Mitchell and Clark have strong cases to be in the mix for the MVP award this season. We both laid out our opinions and provided additional insight on the final call and why each player deserves the nod as the top candidate from the Fever. Cory on Mitchell vs. Clark: "Clark is the Fever's offensive engine; she is the best facilitator in the game. Her MVP season will come. However, Mitchell is on the kind of tear right now that deserves the highest honors. While Wilson will most likely earn MVP honors again, Mitchell can't be overlooked. She's absolutely the Fever's MVP so far, even if Clark is starting to establish herself permanently as the team's de facto best player. Clark missing some time with an injury is the deciding factor on top of Mitchell's incredible scoring run. Although it's comparing apples and oranges. Both have been sensational this year and are MVP candidates." Jeff on Mitchell vs. Clark: "I agree entirely that I don't think it's unfair to say that both Mitchell and Clark are MVP candidates. I actually wouldn't mind an outcome where they both actually are in the final mix, even if Mitchell finishes higher than Clark. There's no denying how special Mitchell's season has been; she's had a career year in every imaginable way, all while shooting 50.3% from the field and 43.7% from three-point range, a combo that's truly impressive." "I think Mitchell's argument this year probably deserves the edge over Clark ultimately. However, I think Clark will unquestionably be in the conversation for many, many years to come. It wouldn't surprise me at all if she ends up snapping A'ja Wilson's unreal streak, especially since I also think Wilson takes home the award again this year." This article originally appeared on For The Win: Caitlin Clark or Kelsey Mitchell: Which Fever player is a WNBA MVP candidate?