Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud is not happy with WNBA officiating.
“On top of the points of emphasis that were emphasized at the beginning of the season, their ultimate job is to control and protect the players in this game, and I think that this group today failed to do so,” Cloud said following an 89-79 win over Minnesota.
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Cloud was one of five Sky players who finished Sunday’s matchup against the Lynx in double figures. Chicago improves to 3-1, but the victory came at a cost. During the second quarter, Sky forward Rickea Jackson suffered a knee injury. At the 5:24 mark of the period, Jackson fell to the floor after driving toward the basket.
Jackson absorbed some contact from a nearby player as she moved to her right. When she transitioned to her left and then back to her right to make a countermove towards the basket, the third-year pro fell to the court. Jackson remained down for several moments before being helped to the locker room.
“They failed to protect Rickea. They failed to control the game. … I go up to them, I say, ‘The game’s getting a little out of control. You need to control it. The next possession we have hands all over Rickea, a push in her back, and we don’t know what’s going on with her,” Cloud said.
“Truthfully, I think it’s (expletive). Obviously, I needed to get a tech. A lot of people think I’m a crash out, but it was very intentional because I will be damned if a player gets hurt on our team (from) something that was controllable by the referees. That is a part of their job.”
After the matchup, Chicago coach Tyler Marsh said that Jackson would likely have imaging done on her knee. However, he did not provide any additional information or updates.
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“She’s in decent spirits,” said Marsh. “We’re waiting to evaluate everything, but she was proud of the team for continuing to fight while she was out.”
Cloud told the media following Jackson’s injury that the team would send in footage for the WNBA to review. She also maintained that a standard should be set for referees for the entire league.
“You can be mad at me if you want to, but I’ll be damned if we keep getting players hurt in this league, on any team, because we refuse to control the game,” Cloud said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Natasha Cloud blasts refs after Rickea Jackson goes down in Sky-Lynx
