Kelsey Mitchell exits with cramping as Fever fall in Game 5

LAS VEGAS — Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell exited Tuesday’s Game 5 semifinals matchup against the Las Vegas Aces midway through the third quarter because of cramping before being ruled out.

Indiana battled back despite missing its star and trailing by as many as nine after her departure, forcing overtime before falling 107-98 in the playoff elimination game.

Fever coach Stephanie White said postgame that Mitchell, who finished fifth in MVP voting, experienced “a lot of lower-body cramping” and was transported to a hospital to receive fluids.

The 5-foot-8 guard appeared to suffer leg cramps after a foul was called on teammate Aliyah Boston. Mitchell grabbed her leg in apparent discomfort before reaching out to hold on to a referee. She lay on the floor, where she was tended to by team personnel and surrounded by teammates holding up towels to give her privacy.

A stretcher was brought onto the court, but Mitchell did not use it, instead leaving with assistance after approximately five minutes.

Mitchell was the Fever’s leading scorer this season, averaging 20.2 points in the regular season and 23.3 in the playoffs. She became the second player in league history to total 100 points over their first playoff semifinal appearance.

“She’s just had a phenomenal season,” said Aces star A’ja Wilson, the four-time league MVP. “I really hope the Indiana Fever take care of her. She’s a phenomenal person, and I hate seeing her go down.”

The scene was an eerily familiar one for the Fever, who had five players, including star guard Caitlin Clark, ruled out for the season because of injury. Indiana was also without Damiris Dantas for the playoffs because of a…