Chicago: Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after altercation with Natasha Cloud

By Liam Tremblay — 24 August 2026 — 3 min read

Courtside altercation

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from a Women’s NBA game between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever on Sunday. The incident occurred after a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Freedom, who was seated courtside, stood up with outstretched arms and moved towards the court during a timeout after Cloud began pointing and shouting at him.

Freedom was wearing a T-shirt that read “WOMAN noun. Adult human female.” Security personnel and other Sky players intervened, leading to Freedom being escorted from Wintrust Arena. He later posted on social media, stating he was “kicked out of a WNBA game for supporting WOMEN!”

Cloud, in a social media post after the game, expressed support for the transgender community, writing, “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.” Reports indicate Freedom spoke with police officers before leaving the arena.

League policies and past incidents

Earlier in August, Freedom announced his intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, citing the league’s eligibility guidelines for transgender women players. The WNBA operates under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) which states, “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.” Currently, no transgender athletes compete in the league.

The topic of transgender athletes in women’s sports has generated debate, particularly following recent comments from Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who played in Sunday’s game. Small rallies supporting Cunningham have appeared outside arenas at Fever road games, met by counter-demonstrations in support of trans athletes. A rally also took place before Sunday’s game in Chicago, where Freedom was reportedly heckled outside the arena.

Sunday’s game was not the only recent incident to draw attention. The previous day, the Sky’s game against the Golden State Valkyries was one of two WNBA matches interrupted by sex toys being thrown onto the court. Similar incidents occurred last season in six WNBA matches across Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. According to one report, the same group responsible for last year’s disruptions has stated its intention to continue protesting the league’s policy on transgender athletes.

Coaches’ reactions and game outcome

Sky head coach Tyler Marsh commented on the incident, stating, “There’s so many good things about this league and so many good things about the play of these players, that if you come to a game, you should probably come to enjoy the basketball.” He added, “I think these players deserve that and have earned that. Being a former basketball player, you should probably understand and feel that, too.” Marsh also supported Cloud, saying, “I told her that we all embrace her as someone that protects our team and protects the people that need to be protected.”

The Fever contingent, including head coach Stephanie White and players Caitlin Clark and Lexie Hull, stated they did not witness the altercation, as they were focused on their huddle. White remarked that it was “important” that the media and public “don’t give it any gas,” calling it “a social media thing.” The Indiana Fever won the match 113-90.

Source: bbc.com