Kanter Freedom denied entry to Game 3 of WNBA Finals after refusing suite

The Atlanta Dream's Game 3 win wasn't the only drama at State Farm Arena on Wednesday night. Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was denied entry to the WNBA Finals game after he refused to watch from a private suite the Dream and the arena had arranged for him in response to his personal safety concerns.

Freedom posted videos of the standoff to social media. In one recorded before the game, he said arena security was barring him from using his purchased tickets. In another at halftime, he was told at the entry gate that he could only enter if he agreed to watch from the suite. Freedom argued that having bought tickets, he should be able to sit in his seats. An Atlanta police officer replied: 'You're free to go to the city of Atlanta streets.'

State Farm Arena said Freedom had contacted federal, state and local authorities, the WNBA, the Dream and arena officials about his safety ahead of the game. After consulting the league, team ownership, arena leadership and security officials, the arena said it directed him to a private luxury suite with additional security, plus a state police officer assigned to him at his request. 'The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority,' the arena's statement said.

Freedom announced Monday that he planned to attend his first WNBA game since late August, when he was ejected from a Chicago-Indiana game — and later banned from that arena — after a heated exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. He said he was motivated to attend Game 3 after Golden State star Gabby Williams said she would support a trans athlete playing in the league. Freedom, who along with fellow former NBA player Royce White has declared for the WNBA draft, also posted a letter from commissioner Cathy Engelbert stating that only women are eligible to play in the WNBA.