Natasha Cloud’s No-Call Foul on Caitlin Clark Sparks Outrage as Fans Demand Accountability

In a game that could’ve reshaped the early WNBA season, the Indiana Fever’s narrow loss to the New York Liberty has become one of the most talked-about moments in women’s basketball — not because of how it ended, but because of how it was allowed to end.

With 2.9 seconds left and Indiana trailing by two, Caitlin Clark came off a screen in an attempt to tie or win the game. As she gathered the ball and rose for a shot, New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud made heavy contact. No whistle. No foul. Game over.

The crowd in Indianapolis erupted — not in celebration, but in disbelief. Fans across social media immediately called out the missed foul, claiming the WNBA officials robbed Indiana of a chance to pull off one of the biggest early upsets of the season.

The Fever bench looked stunned. Clark’s expression said it all: She knew she had been fouled. She knew the game had been taken out of her hands by a referee who swallowed the whistle when it mattered most.

Natasha Cloud, who had a solid performance with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, didn’t initially address the backlash. But after ESPN’s Elle Duncan downplayed the moment on social media, Cloud responded with a short but telling message: “Appreciate you always.”

That brief reply was enough to ignite a firestorm. Fans saw it as dismissive, even smug. For many, it added insult to injury.

The viral moment has since sparked debate about officiating standards in the WNBA and how high-profile players like Clark are treated by refs. It also raised questions about whether certain teams — like the Liberty — are receiving favorable treatment from officials.

Multiple camera angles clearly show Cloud making contact with Clark’s arm and shoulder during the shot attempt. It wasn’t just a light brush — it altered Clark’s form and trajectory. Many believe it was an obvious foul that should’ve resulted in three free throws.

Had the call been made, Clark would’ve had a chance to tie or win the game from the free-throw line — something fans believe she would’ve easily done. Instead, the game ended with the Liberty escaping Indiana with a controversial 91–89 win.

Fever head coach Stephanie White couldn’t challenge the play due to a lack of timeouts, but she didn’t hold back in her postgame comments. “The disrespect right now for our team is pretty unbelievable,” she said. “We’ve been on the wrong end of far too many calls.”

The WNBA has not issued a statement on the officiating in that game, though pressure is mounting from fans and analysts for the league to review the play. Many are calling for more accountability and transparency from referees, especially in late-game situations.

This wasn’t just a random regular-season game. This was a potential statement win for the rebuilding Fever, who have shown steady improvement behind their rookie star Clark. Losing in such fashion stings more than most.

On social media, thousands of posts flooded in — some praising Clark’s composure, others blasting the referees. “Clark got hacked. That’s a foul in every league,” one fan wrote. “If this happened to Sabrina Ionescu, you better believe the whistle’s blown,” another added.

Clark, to her credit, didn’t blame the refs publicly. Instead, she acknowledged her team needs to be better early in games to avoid needing a last-second bailout. “We’ve got to put together four full quarters,” she said. “That’s what it takes to beat championship teams.”

But even neutral fans are struggling to move past what they witnessed. The clip of the no-call has gone viral, with many calling it “one of the worst missed calls of the season.” Some analysts argue it changed the trajectory of the game and possibly the standings down the line.

This game was about more than just a no-call. It was about respect — or lack thereof — for rising talent in the WNBA. It was about the league’s need to protect its star players. And it was about how one moment can overshadow everything else that happens over 40 minutes.

The Fever now drop to 1–4, but they leave the game with heads held high — not because of the result, but because they went toe-to-toe with a championship-caliber team and nearly pulled off the upset despite officiating hurdles.

As for Natasha Cloud, the debate will continue. Was it solid defense or a missed foul? For most fans, the answer is clear.

And for the WNBA, this is a wake-up call.