RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. WNBA fans likely didn’t expect to wake up on Monday morning talking about a courtside altercation between a player and a former NBAer.
But that’s exactly what happened after former Boston Celtics and New York Knicks center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Sunday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky after getting into a shouting match with Natasha Cloud .
It didn’t help Kanter Freedom’s case that he showed up wearing a shirt that read: “WOMAN noun: adult human female,” which shined the spotlight on him as a courtside distraction.
Late in the third quarter during a timeout, something set Cloud off, and she approached Kanter Freedom shouting at him as he yelled back with his arms outstretched before security and Cloud’s teammates pulled her back.
Kanter Freedom, who recently made waves after declaring he’s entering the 2027 WNBA draft unless the league changes its transgender participation policy, was escorted out of Wintrust Arena. He later posted on social media he was banned for “supporting women.”
Cloud had a post-game message of her own as she took to Threads to take a stance against the message she believed Kanter Freedom was trying to send with his choice of attire.
“To every trans kid/person, You are a part of MY community & tribe. You belong. You're loved. You're seen. You're perfect as you are. & you will always be protected by me,” Cloud posted on Threads.
Cloud didn’t speak to media after the game or address her altercation with Kanter Freedom. She could face potential punishment from the WNBA for skipping mandatory postgame media obligations or for her on-court outburst (it’s been reported she used vulgar language, which could lead to a fine).
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh explained Cloud’s absence and hinted that the team supported her actions.
“I talked to the team and Tash didn't want to feel like she was a distraction. I told her she wasn't,” Marsh said. “I told her that we all embrace her as someone that protects our team and protects people that need to be protected and so Tash is always going to stand on that, and we stand for Tash.
“She's passionate and she's passionate about the things she believes in and she's passionate about her teammates, and we're passionate about her.”
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