CHICAGO -- Natasha Cloud could barely walk two feet before being stopped Wednesday evening. It seemed like she already knew everyone inside Wintrust Arena -- players, coaches, random people milling around -- despite signing with the Chicago Sky on May 4 and having yet to play a home game with her new team.
“It always pays that 11 years in this league, I know a lot of people,” Cloud said.
Cloud made her home debut Wednesday wearing that Sky blue, and she certainly didn’t seem like a newcomer getting acclimated to a new team and city. The jersey might have been different, but it was the same gregarious No. 9 dancing pregame as “Soak City (do it)” by the artist 310babii blared over the speakers.
The Sky lost 99-89 to the Dallas Wings, but Chicagoans got a glimpse of what they hope to get consistently from their new point guard. Cloud finished with a season-high 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists while routinely hitting the floor on drives to the basket. Her play of the game came in the third quarter on a quick dribble drive with a reverse-layup finish. The three-time all-defense selection turned to the crowd to let loose a shout as she headed back on defense.
The vibe was much different than a month ago when Cloud didn’t get the attention in free agency that she hoped for, noting that Dallas and Chicago were the only teams to have a legitimate conversation with her. The New York Liberty, her previous team, did not make an offer, according to Cloud.
“Man, it was hard,” Cloud said. “Still don’t really know why I was in that position, but it’s not for me to understand. It was just for me to really be still with myself and with God, and figure out what His next path was for me. And it was Chicago, and so I’m turning the chapter.
“Some relationships you don’t get closure, and that’s OK. That don’t mean you don’t move on. Doesn’t mean you weren’t grateful for your time. But the next phase of this is really amazing, and I just feel like innately I’m supposed to be where I am.”
Free agency drifted into training camp, and Cloud wasn’t signed until five days before the regular-season opener. Coach Tyler Marsh said she was ill at first and didn’t practice initially or play in the season opener, but the coaching staff tried to catch her up as quickly as possible.
“She’s a vet, and some things just come a little bit naturally,” Marsh said. “Once she gets the hang of kind of what our terminology is and kind of what our schemes are ... but it’s been a seamless fit since you’ve been back on the court.”
That veteran has already had an impact on the youngsters on the roster. Kamilla Cardoso, the 2024 No. 3 overall pick, doesn’t have a naturally aggressive personality, but she flashed a quick smile when asked about having Cloud on the roster.
“She fit right in, and she’s been important for me,” Cardoso said. “Sometimes I have a lack of confidence in myself, and she’s here since day one. I think I never spoke to her before our first practice together, and she’s always pouring to me. She’s always telling me how great I am and can’t nobody mess with me.”
Paige Bueckers scored 20-plus points (24) for the third time this season and the 20th time of her career as the Wings held on down the stretch. Jessica Shepard posted her second career triple double as she put up 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Arike Ogunbowale added 23 points and hit a pair of triples during an 8-0 stretch with under three minutes remaining to put the game away. No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd scored 12 off the bench.
Cardoso scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the loss, and Skylar Diggins returned from an eye injury to finish with 15 points and four assists. The Sky played their first game since losing Rickea Jackson, who started the season on pace for a career year, with a torn ACL.
