Kelsey Mitchell's comments about playing with Caitlin Clark added new context to the Indiana Fever's already-turbulent postseason. During Saturday's end-of-year press conference, the four-time WNBA All-Star said the spotlight on Clark creates pressure for every teammate.
"We get a lot of flak just from being on her team," Mitchell admitted. "I don't think people really understand how much we endure."
Mitchell Rejects Indiana GM's Stance on Fever Fan Controversy
Mitchell's remarks pushed back on the picture painted by Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox, who defended Fever fans against recent criticism that escalated during last week's WNBA playoffs.
Despite a Game 2 incident in which Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson got into a heated confrontation with a Fever fan in the stands, Cox claimed not a single fan violated the WNBA's code of conduct all season for Indiana.
"The attacks on our fanbase have no basis in reality, and they need to stop," she said.
"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."
However, both Mitchell and former Fever player Brianna Turner seemed to disagree with Cox's statement.
"Players inside and outside the organization have repeatedly issued complaints with the Fever fanbase," Turner wrote in response. "While it's not all Indy fans, it's certainly a trend. To say the attacks have 'no basis in reality' is disingenuous."
Fever Fans Could Influence Mitchell's Free Agency Decision
Mitchell, for her part, has praised the organization while mulling her offseason move. She will enter free agency in late January, hinting she'll "be selfish" in this next phase of her career.
While she clearly cares for the franchise as a whole, the All-First Team guard wants more transparency when it comes to fan behavior and how the Fever handle it.
"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," she told reporters.
"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, man."
