Fever players reject GM Amber Cox’s defense of fan conduct after Game 2 confrontation
On Saturday Indiana Fever general manager Amber Cox publicly defended the team’s fanbase after criticism tied to Game 2 of the Fever’s playoff series with the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and current and former Fever players pushed back on her comments.
Cox said the criticism of Indiana supporters was unfounded, telling reporters: “The attacks on our fanbase have no basis in reality, and they need to stop, especially with members of the media.” She added: “I’m talking about media who have never been to a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Every organization in the league, every organization throughout professional sports, all the way down to youth rec leagues, have to deal with occasional bad behavior from spectators.” Cox also stressed accountability for anyone who crosses the line: “I want to be really clear about that: There is a line, and people need to be held accountable if they cross it.”
The comments followed an on-court confrontation in Game 2 when four-time MVP A’ja Wilson addressed a Fever fan who had shouted and pointed at her; the man was escorted to the back of the arena and later returned to his seat after officials determined he had not violated the fan code of conduct. Cox said of the season’s interactions: “We did not have one fan pointed out by a player who violated the WNBA code of conduct this season. Not one fan was removed from a game.” She defended typical home behaviour as part of advantage and within rules: “Our fans love this team. They’re going to cheer, they’re going to boo and sometimes they might point. It’s a home-court advantage for a reason, and it’s the same for the Pacers. And all of that is within the code of conduct.”
Former Fever player Brianna Turner, who now plays for the Aces, rejected Cox’s account on social media: “This is an unequivocally false statement,” Turner wrote. She added: “Players inside and outside the organization have repeatedly issued complaints with the Fever fanbase. While it’s not all Indy fans, it’s certainly a trend. To say the attacks have ‘no basis in reality’ is disingenuous.”
Kelsey Mitchell, who has spent her entire career with the Fever since she was drafted in 2018 and produced a career-best season, said the environment in Indiana can be difficult for players. “I don’t think people really understand how much we endure,” Mitchell said, and detailed online abuse: “Like, if I showed y’all my DMs about the hate and all of the stuff that comes with being a professional athlete, but specifically being an Indiana Fever basketball player, it’s a lot that goes into that. And those days are hard as hell.” Mitchell averaged 24.7 points a game this season.
Mitchell addressed the added scrutiny that comes from playing alongside Caitlin Clark: “Playing with [Clark] and having the eyes that she’s got [on her], we get a lot of flak just from being on her team,” she said. On competing for a mixed reception from supporters she added: “Showing up every day to compete for fans that may or may not like you is hard,” and “… I think this organization is unbelievable, man, but I think that when it comes to, like, really trying to be yourself, it hasn’t always been easy.” Mitchell also paid tribute to the franchise’s role in her development: “everything I’ve grown to be is [due to] the Fever.”
The Fever were eliminated by the Aces, losing their playoff series 2-1, and Mitchell is a free agent this offseason.