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July 4, 2026, Seattle, Washington, USA: Seattle Storm center DOMINIQUE MALONGA 14 shoots a field goal over Portland Fire forward EMILY ENGSTLER 21 in the fourth quarter of the WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA match between the Seattle Storm and Portland Fire at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Seattle USA - ZUMAd218 20260704_zsp_d218_015 Copyright: xRichardxDizonx
Seattle Storm star Dominique Malonga didn't think twice before naming Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell as the absolute toughest defensive matchup in the WNBA.
Appearing on the August 14 episode of Sue Bird's podcast, Bird's Eye View, Malonga was asked who impressed her most throughout the season. Her answer came almost instantly.
"I'll take Kelsey Mitchell," Malonga told Sue Bird. "She's amazing."
Malonga then explained the reason.
"Like, first, her consistency, and I mean when you play against her, it's like what do you want to do? She's so fast. She's almost incredible. You can't tell all the coverage after she finds a solution," Malonga added on Sue Bird's podcast on YouTube.
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CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 08: Kelsey Mitchell 0 of the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark 22 of the Indiana Fever during a game against the Chicago Sky on August 8, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA AUG 08 Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260808201
The comment comes at a time when Mitchell is playing the best basketball of her career.
The four-time All-Star guard is leading the Indiana Fever on offense. She's averaging a team-high 24.3 points per game with 1.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals across 36 appearances this season.
During this incredible run, Mitchell surpassed A'ja Wilson for the longest streak of consecutive 20-point games in WNBA history at 21 straight games.
She has also scored in double figures for 48 straight games and recently passed Katie Douglas for fourth place on the Fever’s all-time steals list with 252 career steals.
That's why Bird wasn't surprised by Malonga's response.
She even revealed that when she asks other WNBA players and coaches who the hardest player to game plan against this season is, Mitchell is the answer 'across the board'.
Paige Bueckers said something similar before the WNBA All-Star Game
Long before Malonga spoke up on the podcast, Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers said Mitchell is the hardest player to defend against.
"Right now, I'd probably say Kelsey Mitchell," Bueckers told Overtime WBB on Instagram. "Because she's so unpredictable. She's fast, twitchy, extremely quick, can also shoot. So if you give her space... and she's just super creative."
Mitchell proved Bueckers right on the court during the All-Star game in Chicago.
Playing alongside Bueckers on Team Coop, Mitchell recorded a game-high 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting while knocking down five 3-pointers.
She was so dominant that star forward Angel Reese called Mitchell a true 'bucket getter' after the game.
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Written by
Md Saife Fida