Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud dismissed former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom as an “irrelevant person” during a media session on Saturday, breaking her silence nearly a week after their explosive courtside confrontation during a WNBA game. According to Front Office Sports, Cloud stated that she refused to talk about anything involving him, calling the situation a distraction from issues that have an immediate impact on women and children.
Natasha Cloud Breaks Silence on Courtside Altercation
The confrontation occurred during an August 2026 matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena, where the Fever ultimately defeated the Sky 113-90, as reported by the BBC and Newsweek. Kanter Freedom, sitting courtside and wearing a T-shirt that read “WOMAN noun. Adult human female,” stood up with arms outstretched and took steps toward the court during a third-quarter timeout after Cloud began pointing and shouting at him, according to BBC and Newsweek reporting. Arena security and Sky players intervened before Kanter Freedom was escorted from the building, where he reportedly spoke with police officers outside.
“I won’t be talking about anything that will happen with an irrelevant person,” Cloud said, as cited by Front Office Sports. “There’s so many other things that we can focus on that actually have immediate impact on women and children that we say we’re trying to protect right now, that we are being distracted.”
WNBA Culture War and Player Safety
Cloud addressed the broader “culture war” surrounding the WNBA, arguing that the league is being used as a pawn by political actors. According to Front Office Sports, Cloud pointed to men as the primary demographic driving attacks against the league, noting a hypocrisy among critics who previously dismissed WNBA players’ pay and investment. She emphasized that true support for women must include Black women and transgender women.
Following the game, Cloud posted a message of support on Threads, writing, “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,” according to BBC and Newsweek. While Cloud did not speak to post-game media immediately following the incident—which Newsweek noted could have subjected her to potential WNBA fines for skipping mandatory media obligations—Sky head coach Tyler Marsh defended her actions. Marsh told reporters, as reported by Newsweek, that the team fully embraced Cloud for protecting her teammates.
Team Bans Versus League-Wide Policy
Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter took immediate action by banning Kanter Freedom from future games at Wintrust Arena. Cloud commended the decision, calling it an example of real protection from men, and stated that she hoped the rest of the league would follow suit, according to Front Office Sports. However, the WNBA currently has no plans to impose a league-wide ban. Meanwhile, Kanter Freedom has pledged to pursue legal action against the Sky for banning him from their venue, as reported by The Spun.
Did you know? Enes Kanter Freedom previously declared his intention to enter the WNBA draft, citing current eligibility guidelines regarding transgender players, which sparked intense debate across the league earlier this month, according to BBC and Newsweek reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from the WNBA game?
According to BBC and Newsweek, Kanter Freedom was ejected following a verbal altercation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud during a timeout in the third quarter of a game between the Sky and the Indiana Fever.
What did Natasha Cloud say about the incident?
Speaking to the media on Saturday prior to a game against the New York Liberty, Cloud dismissed Kanter Freedom as an “irrelevant person” and stated she wanted to focus on issues impacting women and children rather than distractions, according to Front Office Sports.
Did the WNBA issue a league-wide ban against Kanter Freedom?
No. While the Chicago Sky and owner Michael Alter banned him from future games at their arena, the WNBA has no current plans to implement a league-wide ban, as reported by The Spun.
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