Fever GM Amber Cox defends Indiana fans: Criticism 'has no basis in reality'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana general manager Amber Cox defended the Fever's fanbase on Saturday during the team's end-of-season news conferences.

“The attacks on our fanbase have no basis in reality, and they need to stop, especially with members of the media," Cox said. “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. And anyone who crosses the line in an arena or online needs to be held accountable. I want to be really clear about that: There is a line, and people need to be held accountable if they cross it.”

Criticism of Fever fans occurred again in Game 2 of Indiana's first-round series with the Las Vegas Aces. Four-time MVP A'ja Wilson had an incident with a fan sitting behind the baseline, who shouted and pointed at her. She did the same to him. The fan was taken to the back of the arena before returning to his seat when it was determined that the fan code of conduct hadn't been broken.

“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,” Cox 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.”

Former Fever player Brianna Turner, who now plays for the Aces, disagreed with Cox's comments.

“This is an unequivocally false statement,” Turner wrote on social media. “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 had a career-best season with the Fever, said in her exit interview that playing in Indiana can be difficult at times because of interactions with some of the fans. She has spent her entire career with the Fever since getting drafted second in 2018.

“I don’t think people really understand how much we endure,” said Mitchell, who is a free agent this offseason. “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."

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Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) is pressured by Indiana Fever forward Makayla Timpson (21) and guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the first half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) drives against Las Vegas Aces guard Mai Yamamoto (18) during the first half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White reacts to a call during the first half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives against Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) during the first half in Game 3 of an WNBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — CJ Carr threw for four touchdowns and ran for another and third-ranked Notre Dame leaned on its ground game in regaining control after halftime to beat North Carolina 37-26 on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish (5-0) were on the verge of going up 28-7 before the Tar Heels (2-2) came up with a goal-line stand and turned it into a long touchdown drive right before halftime. Then UNC came out of the break with Jaden Jefferson sprinting through the rain for a 98-yard kickoff return that brought the Tar Heels to within 21-20.

That's when Carr and the Irish offense went to work with a series of methodical and physical drives, leaning on the run in wet conditions to carry the ball right into the heart of the defensive front and consistently move the chains. That ultimately helped Notre Dame restore its multiple-possession lead while finishing with a season-high 241 yards on the ground.

“When they know you're going to try to run the ball — and you're still able to run the ball — because of the weather conditions, that's a reflection of your team, and the toughness and the physicality,” coach Marcus Freeman said.

Notre Dame responded to Jefferson's big play with a 17-play, 75-yard drive lasting more than nine minutes by the time Carr got around the right side for a fourth-down TD keeper.

Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Notre Dame went to work again in pummeling fashion. Nolan James Jr. did most of the work on the ground, then caught Carr's short pass in the left flat and juked a would-be tackler off his feet to go in for a 6-yard TD and a 34-20 lead to open the fourth quarter.

Freshman Jonaz Walton posted a team-high 120 yards to lead Notre Dame's ground effort, while James added 65. The Irish's rushing output included 122 yards in the third quarter alone in stymieing UNC's momentum, a welcome sign for a new ground game that lost running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price as first-round NFL draft picks.

“Super impressive with the way the offensive line kind of just drove the ball down the field,” Carr said. “They couldn't really stop us. It felt like we were imposing our will on them whenever we wanted to.”

Carr threw for 234 yards, with Jordan Faison making eight catches for 132 yards and two scores.

Billy Edwards Jr. threw for three touchdowns for the Tar Heels but was picked off twice. North Carolina also struggled to get anything going on the ground (77 yards on 23 carries).

“We were certainly competitive, we missed some opportunities,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We just need to do a better job of coaching and playing, take advantage of those opportunities.”

Notre Dame: The defense had its hiccups in the Fighting Irish's 15th straight win. The Irish entered Saturday ranked No. 1 nationally by surrendering 199.3 yards per game and second in scoring (8.3), yet the Tar Heels came within seven points of matching the total the Irish had allowed through four games.

UNC: The Tar Heels started 2-0 before blowing a two-touchdown lead in a loss at Clemson on Sept. 19, then had an open week to prepare for this one. Finding ways to generate more downfield passing gains was a focus, and Edwards found more success. The primary targets were wideout Jordan Shipp (seven catches for 109 yards) and Jelani Thurman (five catches for 50 yards and two TDs) as the Tar Heels flirted with a marquee win in Belichick's second season.

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish host Stanford next Saturday.

UNC: The Tar Heels visit Pittsburgh next Saturday, the first of back-to-back road games against teams that are a combined 9-0.

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North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Shamar Easter (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman discusses a call with an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Notre Dame linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, right, runs back an interception against North Carolina running back Jaylen McGill, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, right, looks to pass against North Carolina behind the block of offensive lineman Sullivan Absher (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)