Natasha Cloud is a good player, but she also has a temper. That was on full display during the Chicago Sky’s 93-92 loss to the Dallas Wings on Saturday.
Despite outplaying the Wings for much of the game, the Sky looked helpless in the final frame, blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. Dallas took advantage of Chicago’s miscues and missed free throws to steal the win in the dying seconds.
It was another rough night for Cloud, whose late mistake cost her team dearly. Cloud fouled Paige Bueckers beyond the arc with 30.6 seconds left, leading to a critical four-point play that pulled the Wings within one. Li Yueru then hit the game-tying and go-ahead free throws to seal a stunning comeback win for the Wings.
Once the game was done, Cloud put her head down and marched toward the locker room, with the rage seeming to build as she went along. She then slammed her leg against the stand in frustration.
Whether it was a referee’s decision, anger at defeat, or simply frustration at yet another close game being lost is unclear, but fans were unhappy with her behavior.
Cloud, who was a late free agent signing for the Sky, finished the game with 10 points, six assists, and six rebounds. That marked the fifth straight loss for the Sky, who are losing ground in the ultra-competitive Eastern Conference.
This is not the first time Cloud has failed to control her emotions. In Wednesday’s 96-95 loss to the New York Liberty, she was furious with the officials over a foul call.
Natasha Cloud was largely nonexistent in the final frame
The final period for Natasha Cloud consisted of a whole lot of nothing. She failed to lock down the players and hold on to the ball. She also had a hand in that costly four-point play.
The Sky outshot the Wings 20-0 to take a 28-16 lead in the first quarter, before carrying a 43-38 lead into halftime. They had a strong chance of winning when they led 71-57 in the third quarter, yet somehow the Sky stumbled.
If the Sky don’t turn their season around, it is fair to wonder what will happen to Cloud and the other veterans that the front office thought would help produce a good season.
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