Chicago Sky news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Caitlin Clark scored 37 points as the Fever beat the Sky 113-90, ending Chicago's playoff hopes.
The loss and a courtside clash with Enes Kanter Freedom overshadow the Sky's season.
Background
The Chicago Sky entered the game needing a win to keep playoff hopes alive, but a loss to the Indiana Fever, combined with a Mystics win, eliminated them from contention. The game also featured a heated confrontation between Sky guard Natasha Cloud and former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, who was seated courtside wearing a shirt with a controversial message about transgender women.
How it unfolded
- Aug 23, 2026The Fever beat the Sky 113-90. Caitlin Clark scored 37 points, including a career-high eight 3-pointers, and Kelsey Mitchell added 30. The Sky led by one at halftime but fell apart in the fourth quarter.
- Aug 23, 2026During a third-quarter timeout, Sky guard Natasha Cloud confronted Enes Kanter Freedom, who was sitting courtside wearing a shirt reading 'WOMAN noun. adult human female.' Security intervened, and Freedom was escorted out.
- Aug 24, 2026The Sky's playoff hopes officially ended with the loss and the Mystics' win. Coach Tyler Marsh said the team still had a lot to play for.
- Aug 25, 2026Sky majority owner Michael Alter announced that Enes Kanter Freedom would be banned from attending Sky games following his behavior at Sunday's game.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Sky coach Tyler Marsh said the league has 'so much good things' and that fans should come to enjoy basketball, implying Kanter Freedom's behavior was inappropriate.
- Public
- Natasha Cloud wrote on Threads: 'To every trans kid/person, You are apart of MY community & tribe. You belong. You're loved. You're seen. You're perfect as you are.'
Still unverified
The exact nature of the verbal exchange between Cloud and Kanter Freedom is disputed; some reports say Cloud initiated, others say Freedom provoked.