Drama unfolded during Sunday’s Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever game after guard Natasha Cloud got into a verbal altercation with former NBA center Enes Kanter.
Sitting courtside, Kanter stood up with his arms outstretched and stepped toward the court after Cloud started pointing and shouting at him during a timeout. After the game, Sky coach Tyler Marsh made his stance on the situation clear.
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Tyler Marsh Shows Support for Natasha Cloud After Heated Altercation With Enes Kanter Freedom
After the Sky’s 113-90 loss to the Fever on Sunday, Marsh was asked about Cloud’s altercation with Kanter. He made his stance clear, supporting the veteran guard.
“I haven’t talked to Tash. I talked to the team, and Tash didn’t wanna feel like she was a distraction. I told her she wasn’t,” Marsh told reporters at the post-game press conference. “I told her that we all embrace her as someone that protects our team and protects people that need to be protected. Tash is always going to stand on that, and we stand for Tash.”
Marsh also addressed Kanter’s presence on the sidelines, saying, “There’s so much good things about this league and so many good things about the play of these players.”
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He continued, “And if you come to a game, you should probably come to enjoy the basketball. That seems pretty simple to me. I think these players deserve that and have earned that. Being a former basketball player, you should probably understand and feel that, too.”
Despite the off-court distractions, Cloud was efficient against the Fever, finishing with 16 points, seven assists, and four rebounds while shooting 7-for-9.
Kanter attended the game wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words, “Woman noun. Adult human female.” His altercation with Cloud led to his ejection from Wintrust Arena. He addressed the situation on X after the game, writing:
“I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!”
Cloud also shared a message on Threads, extending her support to the transgender community.
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“To every trans kid/person, you are a part of MY community and tribe,” Cloud wrote. “You belong. You’re loved. You’re seen. You’re perfect as you are and you will always be protected by me.”
See Also: Ryan Clark Sounds Off on Kanter Freedom’s Beef With WNBA’s Natasha Cloud Over Trans Drama
Earlier this month, Kanter sparked controversy after declaring for the 2027 WNBA draft, citing the league’s eligibility rules. He also claimed that he would be the No. 1 pick next year.
The exchange between Cloud and Kanter added another layer to the ongoing discussion surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports. While Kanter continues to make his case for joining the WNBA, Cloud and the Sky have made their position clear following Sunday’s incident.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
