Natasha Cloud Sparkles as Liberty Dominate Early in the WNBA Season

CHICAGO — It can take months, even seasons, to gauge the impact of a trade. However, just two games into the season, Natasha Cloud‘s move to the New York Liberty is already proving to be a game-changer.

Cloud, who joined the Liberty in the offseason, has made her presence felt in a major way. The Liberty, already boasting stars like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, have shown quick improvement in their offensive and defensive plays. “We’ve never really had someone quite like her,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said before Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Sky.

In the first two games, Cloud leads the team in scoring with an impressive 20 points per game and averages 8.5 assists while ranking third in the WNBA in efficiency. The Liberty have also excelled in shooting, hitting 51.5% from the floor and nearly 42% from beyond the arc. They lead the league in both steals and blocks.

In the season opener, the Liberty trounced A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces with Cloud contributing 22 points, including pivotal three-point plays that propelled her team into a comfortable lead. Her energy and enthusiasm on the court have been infectious, according to teammate Breanna Stewart. “Her energy is kind of contagious and infectious,” Stewart noted.

Cloud is especially happy to be in New York after a journey that began with her being drafted by the Washington Mystics and later spending a year in Phoenix. “There was nowhere else that I wanted to be than New York,” Cloud expressed, recalling how her desire to join the Liberty was a key factor during the trade process.

After the trade, Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb worked diligently to bring Cloud to New York. For Cloud, the excitement of being part of one of the league’s premier franchises is both inspiring and motivating. “I’m so happy to be where my feet are today,” she said.

The existing chemistry in the Liberty was appealing to Cloud, who has spent time with players like Ionescu. “I feel like I just kind of bear hug everybody in,” she explained, highlighting her role in the team’s dynamic.

While the season has just begun, Cloud’s contributions indicate that the Liberty are set for a strong run as they aim to defend their title. If they continue to grow together, their potential could be frightening as the season progresses. “I know my first game put high expectations,” Cloud remarked. “I really am just trying to be better each day for this team.”