Paige Bueckers, who’s already one of the WNBA’s premier guards, just dropped a bomb: she named Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell as the absolute hardest player to guard in the entire league. And guess who’s next up to face this “unguardable” talent? Our very own Seattle Storm, right here at Climate Pledge Arena.
Bueckers Spilled The Beans: Mitchell Is a Nightmare Matchup
Bueckers, a Dallas Wings guard, has already duked it out with the WNBA’s elite for two seasons. But when it comes to the toughest defensive assignment, Mitchell stands alone. Bueckers recently said Mitchell is so unpredictable, it’s wild. She’s “fast, twitchy, extremely quick” and she “can also shoot.” If you give her space, you’re toast. But try to press her? She’s got the speed and handle to just blow right past you into the paint. It’s a lose-lose situation for defenders. Mitchell absolutely backed up that assessment, too. In Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago, she went off for a game-high 28 points, shooting 11-of-19 from the field. She even drained five of her 11 attempts from downtown, showing exactly why you can’t leave her open for a second. Bueckers herself played on Team Coop with Mitchell in that All-Star game, finishing with 12 points and seven assists, but their squad ultimately fell 129-122 to Team Spoon, led by MVP Jonquel Jones. Even Caitlin Clark dropped 17 points, five assists, and four rebounds in that game, but Mitchell was the one Bueckers called out.
Your Storm Face a Red-Hot Fever and an Unguardable Star
Mitchell’s All-Star performance was just the latest reminder of how crucial she is to the Indiana Fever. They rolled into the All-Star break with a strong 17-10 record, riding a three-game winning streak. This team is hot. The Fever need every bit of Mitchell’s scoring punch if they want to climb the standings in the second half of the season. Her ability to stretch defenses, score off the dribble, and thrive in transition makes her a pure nightmare to scheme against. This Tuesday, the Fever are set to resume their schedule right here against the Seattle Storm. The Dallas Wings, Bueckers’ team, are actually a spot ahead of Indiana in the standings at 18-9, having won seven of their last eight. The standings are tight, and every game matters.
So get ready, Seattle. Your Storm are about to face a player even one of the league’s best admits is nearly impossible to guard. It’s going to be a battle, and Mitchell is coming to Climate Pledge Arena ready to prove Bueckers right.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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