Natasha Cloud and Enes Kanter Freedom
Aug 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) yells at Turkish-American former basketball player and human rights activist Enes Kanter Freedom during the second half against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Last night’s altercation between Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud and former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom has sparked countless reactions across the sports media landscape.
Most have admonished Kanter Freedom for his behavior, including some who agree with the 34-year-old’s position on banning transgender women from women’s sports. However, one prominent former ESPN anchor is placing the blame on Cloud.
Linda Cohn makes her feelings clear
In a video recorded Sunday night, longtime SportsCenter host Linda Cohn discussed the incident and the continued fallout from Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s anti-trans comments.
“Now, the controversy has moved from outside the arena to courtside,” Cohn said. The WNBA is saying it wants everybody to focus on basketball. Clarify your [transgender] policy.”
On Monday morning, Cohn issued a follow-up tweet, calling out Cloud as the responsible party and for cursing at Kanter Freedom.
“Going LIVE last night after the game I failed to make it 100 percent clear that it was Natasha Cloud who started this altercation and proceeded to fire profanity at him with kids nearby,” Cohn said. “@EnesFreedom struck a nerve and he paid the price by getting ejected for just standing up for WOMEN at a WNBA game.”
Natasha Cloud gets into it with Enes Kanter during Fever/Sky.
Kanter was escorted out of the arena.pic.twitter.com/ZKrYxVZVDu
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) August 24, 2026
Chaos in Chicago
Kanter Freedom, who has “declared” for the 2027 WNBA Draft, was sitting courtside at Sunday night’s game between the Sky and Fever at Wintrust Arena. Late in the third quarter, Cloud was seen shouting at the former No. 3 overall pick, who was wearing a shirt that read “WOMAN noun. adult human female.”
Kanter Freedom had his arms outstretched and took a step towards the court while appearing to mock Cloud, who continued shouting in his direction. Security eventually escorted Kanter Freedom out of the arena amid a chorus of boos while the pot-stirring big man made a “talking hands” gesture.
“I’m supporting women, and that is the reason they’re kicking me out,” Kanter Freedom reportedly told a group of arena officials and law enforcement officers, according to The Athletic. “It’s unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, after the game, Cloud took to social media to send a message of support to the transgender community.
“To every trans kid/person, You are a part 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 on Threads.
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