Sun Coach Doesn’t Hold Back After Indiana Fever Star’s Career Game

Rachid Meziane, in his first season as head coach of the Connecticut Sun, saw his team’s playoff chances end Sunday with a 99-93 overtime loss to Kelsey Mitchell and the Indiana Fever.

The Sun squandered a 21-point lead as Mitchell, the former Ohio State Buckeyes star, delivered a career night. She scored 38 points, tying her career high, and added six assists. Mitchell also made history by setting a new franchise record with her 11th 30-point game in a Fever uniform.

Mitchell also scored 34 of her 38 points in the second half and overtime, leading Indiana to the comeback win.

Meziane Speaks on Mitchell's Career Night

Following the loss, Meziane addressed the media in his postgame press conference. Asked about Mitchell’s performance, he admitted that even switching his best defender off her wasn’t working.

“We switched the guard to guard screen, and it wasn’t the plan, so we wanted to keep one of our best defenders on her," Meziane said. "But because we switched, she found some mismatches, you know, to play. So it’s our fault too. She’s a good player, you know. I have a lot of respect for her..."

The French coach continued to discuss Mitchell taking advantage of some mismatches.

"She scores some tough shots," Meziane added. "But I think that we gave her too many opportunities to find some mismatches. Some speed mismatches. So yeah, just respect the game plan and keep our best defender on her, and every time we we we switched she she she punished us.”

Mitchell is Having A Career Season

Not only did Mitchell tie her career high in points on Sunday, but she is also having her best season since joining the WNBA in 2018. The All-Star guard is averaging a career-high of 20.4 points on 45.1% shooting, 1.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

Mitchell has also stepped up her play during Clark's latest injury absence. In the month of August, she is averaging 22.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, helping the Fever stay afloat in the playoff race.

Up next for Meziane and the Sun are the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET in the nation's capital.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.