WNBA player Natasha Cloud fires off pro-trans message following altercation with Enes Kanter Freedom
Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud fired off a pro-trans message on Sunday night following an altercation with Enes Kanter Freedom during the team’s loss to the Indiana Fever.
In the third quarter, Cloud scored a bucket that led to the Fever calling a timeout. She directed her emotion toward Freedom, who was sitting near the basket at the Wintrust Arena. Freedom stood up and walked toward Cloud. Sky players and security had to get in between the two.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud drives against Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
It wasn’t immediately clear what Cloud and Freedom were yelling at each other about. Freedom was escorted out of the arena and was unable to return for the rest of the game.
Cloud didn’t speak at the Sky’s postgame media availability. She fired off a message on Threads in support of the transgender community.
“To every trans kid/person, You are apart 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 wrote.
ENES KANTER FREEDOM EJECTED FROM SKY-FEVER GAME AFTER VERBAL ALTERCATION WITH NATASHA CLOUD
Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud argues with former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Cloud’s message appeared to be a swipe at Freedom, who announced his intentions to compete in the WNBA as players and coaches have spoken out about trans athletes in women and girls’ sports. Freedom was wearing a T-shirt with the definition of a woman on it.
“Woman – adult human female,” his shirt read.
Freedom attended his first WNBA game after saying he wanted to join the WNBA. As he entered the arena Sunday afternoon, he was berated by a mob of angry WNBA fans.
After the incident, Freedom fired off a few social media posts.
“I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!” he wrote on X.
Former basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom poses courtside prior to the game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 23, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. (Getty Images)
“It’s always women hating on other women,” he wrote in a separate post.
