"Gotten in her own head': Sheryl Swoopes' honest critique on Aliyah Boston, praises $249,244 guard for leading in Caitlin’s absence

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes shared an honest critique of Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston on Friday. The four-time WNBA champion expressed her feelings on the center, while offering high praise to guard Kelsey Mitchell amid Caitlin Clark's extended absence.

During an appearance on "The Women's Hoops Show," Swoopes discussed the Fever's playoff push without Clark, while getting honest about Boston's role.

"I feel like, Aaliyah Boston right now, I don't want to say she's in a slump, but I feel like Aaliyah is whether the refs are giving her the calls or not, I feel like Aaliyah has gotten in her own head in her own way with the referees and it's kind of taken her out of the way she plays," Swoopes said (41:31 onwards).

After reviewing Boston's play style, Swoopes praised guard Kelsey Mitchell, who signed a $249,244 contract with the Fever in February.

"Kelsey Mitchell, geez, I'm bowing down to you right now, cuz sis, you have been holding it down," Swoopes said (41:10 onwards).

Despite the Fever's injury problems, they are in playoff places. Indiana (19-16) is sixth in the standings and is on track to make consecutive playoff appearances. The Fever have been without Caitlin Clark since the All-Star break and recently lost Sydney Colson and Aari McDonald to season-ending injuries.

Despite Indiana’s mounting backcourt injuries, Kelsey Mitchell has carried the scoring, averaging 20.4 points and 3.4 assists per game. Despite Swoopes offered a candid assessment of Boston, the center remains integral to the Fever’s rotation, recording 15.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

Sheryl Swoopes shares optimism for Indiana's playoff hopes despite Clark’s absence

Although expressing her concerns over Aliyah Boston and her trouble with the referees, Sheryl Swoopes remains confident over Indiana's playoff hopes. During her conversation on the podcast, the legend opened up on the Fever's optimistic performances despite Clark's absence.

"I think they have the pieces even if Caitlin doesn’t come back," Swoopes said (43:50 onwards). "It has been really impressive some of these wins that they have been able to get without her. And we look at, you know, how they finished off July. They were on a five-game winning streak and they were able to down teams like the Mercury, the Aces, the Storm."

Though she remains skeptical of Boston’s ability, the WNBA legend still expects the Fever to push deep into the season as the final weeks approach.