The Indiana Fever picked up their 25th win of the season on Sunday, defeating the Chicago Sky 113-90. However, the final score was hardly the biggest talking point from the game.
Former NBA player Enes Kanter’s presence courtside and his eventual ejection became the center of attention, and political commentator Riley Gaines was quick to react.
Riley Gaines’ Praises Enes Kanter After Natasha Cloud Altercation
Gaines took to X and appeared to applaud Kanter for the stunt, sharing a post that highlighted the main moment when the altercation happened.
“Weirdly enough, Enes Kanter Freedom is attempting to ensure Natasha Cloud has the opportunity to compete fairly and safely by forcing the WNBA’s hand… And she hates him for it,” Gaines wrote.
Weirdly enough, Enes Kanter Freedom is attempting to ensure Natasha Cloud has the opportunity to compete fairly and safely by forcing the WNBAs hand.
And she hates him for it. https://t.co/yFWcVEXtBq
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 24, 2026
Kanter arrived at Wintrust Arena wearing a black shirt with a message that read, “WOMAN noun. Adult human female.” The shirt was clearly tied to his ongoing criticism of the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports. He has also recently declared for the 2027 WNBA Draft as part of his argument over the league’s eligibility rules.
The situation became tense during the third quarter. According to Kanter’s account, he was simply celebrating after Sophie Cunningham knocked down a three-pointer. He said that a few possessions later, Cloud approached and confronted him.
The former NBA player then stood up and took a step toward the court as security personnel and Sky players quickly moved between the two. The confrontation was broken up before it could go any further, but security ultimately escorted Kanter away from his courtside seat and out of the arena.
“Toward the end of the third quarter, Sophie Cunningham shot a three, and I put my hands up to celebrate. A couple of possessions later, Natasha came back and started screaming and yelling and said, ‘She’s not going to sleep with you.’ I was like, ‘I am not trying to sleep with her. I’m just here to protect women and support her.”
“Obviously, after that, she started yapping and yelling. She started to walk toward me and literally I just got up and said, ‘I’m just here to protect women and that’s all.’ She started to yell and started to use some very heavy language and actually started to cuss,” Kanter Freedom said to Jackson Thompson.
Cloud responded after the game by making her position clear. She took to Threads and shared a message of support towards transgender people.
“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. And you will always be protected by me,” Cloud wrote.
The incident shows how quickly the WNBA’s ongoing debate over transgender participation can spill beyond the court.
