The New York Liberty faced down the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Saturday, ultimately besting the team 90-88 in a fiercely fought battle in Indianapolis.
The Liberty's win was led by Jonquel Jones, who racked up 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Sabrina Ionescu, who contributed 23 points — and also by Breanna Stewart and Liberty newcomer Natasha Cloud, who had 16 points each. The performance from Cloud was another strong showing that underscored a single fact: the Liberty made the right choice when they traded for the 5'10" guard earlier this year.
Natasha Cloud was traded to the Liberty in March
The Liberty announced the Natasha Cloud trade in March. The team exchanged Cloud for their No. 7 overall pick in this year's draft and their future first round pick in the 2026 draft — a major indication that they want to defend their championship and consider Cloud a crucial step in that process.
Cloud has been a natural fit for the Liberty ever since, something that is becoming all too apparent with each game she plays this season. She's also an easy fit for the fanbase, and someone who represents all that the Liberty has been defined by: success, determination, and unnmatched skill.
Cloud was coming off a successful showing against the Chicago Sky on Thursday, when she was one of six Liberty team members to hit the double digits (she added 18 points to the squad's total of 99) and broke Cappie Pondexter's previously held record of 16 assists in her first two games in 2010 (Cloud hit 17). In her first three games for the Liberty she's averaged 18.7 points, 7.7 assists, 5.7 rbds, 2.7 steals and 1.3 blocks on 55.6% FG and 50% from 3.
The future is bright for Natasha Cloud — and for the Liberty
The Liberty is determined to defend the team's title this season, a feat that is difficult to pull off no matter who you are, but with Cloud on their side, they have an even better chance of doing so.
Fans have already made it clear that Cloud is a cherished member of the team. Her path to the Liberty wasn't exactly swift (she was first traded from the Mercury to the Sun before landing at New York), but her seamless entry was undeniable during the team's home opener against the Aces, when she was rewarded with a standing ovation after catapuling the team's then 2-point lead to 8 with back-to-back and-1 plays.
The Liberty will next square off against the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday, May 27.