CHICAGO: Sunday’s Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky matchup took an unexpected turn when former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was escorted from Wintrust Arena after a heated exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
The confrontation unfolded during the third quarter, with Indiana leading 81-75, drawing the attention of players, security personnel and fans at the arena.
Cloud moved toward Freedom, who was seated courtside wearing a black shirt that read, “WOMAN. Noun. Adult human female.” Freedom then stood and stepped toward the court, prompting security to intervene and escort him from the arena as fans booed.
Freedom later took to X to criticize his removal, writing, “I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!”
In another post, he added, “It’s always women hating on other women.”
The incident comes amid Freedom’s public campaign over the WNBA’s policies and a broader debate about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Freedom and former NBA player Royce White have declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft while saying they identify as women.
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Freedom and Cloud have clashed publicly before. Cloud previously criticized the United States, prompting Freedom to offer to buy her a ticket to China, Russia or Turkey, where he said she could trade her “woke complaints” for a more challenging experience.
Sky players largely declined to discuss Sunday’s confrontation. Forward Azura Stevens said there was “just a fan incident” and that security handled it, adding that the team wanted to focus on the game.
Fever star Caitlin Clark said she did not see the confrontation because she was with teammates discussing the next play during the game.
The incident comes amid renewed debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham recently voiced opposition to transgender women competing in women’s sports, drawing both criticism and support. No transgender woman has played in the WNBA.
Despite the drama off the court, Indiana controlled the game, defeating Chicago 113-90.
