PHOENIX – The New York Liberty’s overtime victory against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series was characterized by more than just a competitive win; it represented a significant personal moment for veteran point guard Natasha Cloud. The 76-69 triumph, secured after a grueling extra period, carries a particular weight for Cloud, a 10-year WNBA veteran, and a product of her evolution within the league.
Cloud’s performance was undeniably pivotal, a display of offensive prowess and defensive tenacity that propelled the Liberty to victory. She scored a remarkable 23 points on a 75% shooting percentage, complemented by 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 three-point attempts and 4 steals. This output surpassed her previous scoring record for the New York Liberty, further solidifying her role as a key contributor in this crucial playoff series.
The game’s outcome wasn’t initially conceived as revenge against her former team. Cloud had previously spent the regular season with the Mercury before being traded to New York in February, a move she described as purely transactional, lacking consideration for her personal connection to the organization and its personnel. Notably, she refrained from speaking with Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts following the trade, even during the team’s first meeting in New York in June.
A week later, during the Liberty’s first trip to Phoenix, Tibbetts’ wife, Lyndsey, initiated contact. The two quickly developed a friendship, facilitated by a naturally amiable and approachable personality within Cloud. After a private discussion, the pair managed to bridge the gap created by the abrupt trade.
“It was the closing to that chapter, and I was able to move on, because there was a lot of love here still for Nate, for what I came into last season,” Cloud explained. “But once that chapter was over, it’s been Liberty basketball.”
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello praised Cloud’s “massive” contribution on both ends of the court, noting her timely scoring and control of the game. Kahleah Copper, the sole returning player from last season’s Mercury roster, finished with 15 points, but struggled from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, Cloud expressed a desire to capitalize on every opportunity, acknowledging the challenges the team faced during the regular season as a catalyst for growth. She emphasized the importance of her sustained encouragement to her teammates, particularly in the face of adversity. The Liberty will need Cloud’s consistent clutch performances as they continue the series, potentially without the presence of All-Star Breanna Stewart.
Ultimately, Cloud described her performance not as retribution, but as a natural progression of her career, stating, “Coming into here, it’s always sweet when this is just where you came from. But what is sweeter is I’m exactly where my feet are supposed to be.”