New York Liberty Win 90-88 Behind Natasha Cloud Steal, Sabrina Ionescu Praise

The 2025 WNBA season has been intense, highlighted by a controversial final play in the New York Liberty versus Indiana Fever game where Caitlin Clark was stripped of the ball by Natasha Cloud with two seconds remaining, leading to a Liberty victory. Clark and Fever coach Stephanie White believed a foul should have been called, but the officials did not whistle, sparking debate about officiating standards in the WNBA. Sabrina Ionescu criticized the leniency of WNBA officiating compared to the NBA, noting the physicality and lack of calls for hand-checking, which adds difficulty for star players like Clark. Natasha Cloud, praised as one of the best defenders in the league, explained her defensive strategy in stopping Clark and was lauded by teammates and coaches for her crucial plays, including a key block on DeWanna Bonner. Clark struggled offensively during the game, shooting poorly from three-point range and committing 10 turnovers, raising concerns about a possible mental block affecting her performance. Meanwhile, Ionescu led the Liberty with 23 points, moving up the franchise's all-time scoring list, as New York maintains an undefeated start to their season.