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Enes Kanter Freedom didn't go quietly after being ejected from Sunday's WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. Confronted by a group of arena officials and law enforcement officers in the Wintrust Arena lobby, the former NBA center made his stance clear as he was escorted out.
“I'm supporting women, and that is the reason they're kicking me out,” Kanter said. “It's unacceptable.”
The ejection capped a chaotic day for Kanter, who has courted controversy in recent weeks. During the third quarter, he got into a verbal confrontation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, prompting players and security to step in before things escalated.
Kanter, who was wearing a provocative shirt, was tossed from the arena and spoke with police officers before leaving.
The friction had started well before tip-off. Prior to entering the venue, Kanter ran into several fans who gave him a hostile welcome, a scene captured on video that quickly spread across social media. His mere presence had become a lightning rod given the backdrop of the past several weeks.
The context behind the tension is impossible to ignore. The 34-year-old recently grabbed the spotlight by declaring himself eligible for next year's WNBA Draft, saying he identifies as a woman, a move widely viewed as a stunt mocking the league. The WNBA has not taken the draft declaration seriously.
The episode unfolded amid a broader, heated leaguewide conversation. Last month, Sophie Cunningham reignited debate over transgender athletes with a polarizing remark about not allowing “biological men” in women's sports. In response, the WNBA Players Association reiterated its commitment to inclusivity and diversity, stressing that the organization “will not be used as political pawns” and urging fans to notify security if they witness hateful, violent, or abusive behavior.
Lost in the drama was a dominant on-court performance. The Fever routed the Sky 113-90 to snap a two-game skid, led by Caitlin Clark's 37 points and a career-high eight three-pointers, along with 10 assists. Kelsey Mitchell added 30 points, while Cloud paced Chicago with 16 points and seven assists.
For a matchup that drew major attention, the story became less about the game and more about the spectacle surrounding it.