Why is Natasha Cloud not playing in Mercury's next game? WNBA star's absence vs Dream explained 

Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud will not be participating in their upcoming matchup against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday. Her unavailability comes following her technical foul during the Mercury's previous game against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, which brought her season total of technical fouls up to seven.

According to WNBA policy, players who reach the seven technical foul threshold during the season will be suspended for one game without pay, unless the league rescinds the foul upon review. Moreover, for every two additional techs received after the threshold in the regular season, the player will subsequently be suspended for an additional game.

Natasha Cloud reached her seventh tech threshold in the second quarter of the Mercury's 97-79 home loss to the Aces on Sunday. The former WNBA champion was assessed the tech after she went off at the referee, complaining about Kelsey Plum using her off-hand to distance herself while Cloud was defending her.

Apart from the one-game suspension, Cloud also incurred a $2,600 fine for the seven techs she committed.

Natasha Cloud initiates Mercury's tech run as they record most single-season technical fouls in WNBA history

Against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, the Phoenix Mercury made history, albeit not the best type. Assessed with three technical fouls in the game, the Mercury increased their season's tech tally to 33, setting an all-time WNBA record.

While Natasha Cloud started the series of techs for Mercury, Diana Taurasi was the second to be assessed with a tech with 7:39 left in the third quarter. It was Taurasi's seventh tech of the season, however, it was rescinded after review, allowing Taurasi to participate against Atlanta on Tuesday.

Just two minutes after the Mercury's second technical foul, Kahleah Copper picked up their third and final tech of the night with 5:40 remaining in the third quarter. It was her sixth tech of the season, meaning she is just one more away from facing suspension.

“[The] technicals have been an issue. We’re missing a player or two after the technicals today," Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said after the game via Athlon Sports. "It’s frustrating. The technicals are frustrating, the way we’ve been playing is frustrating.”

Following their loss to the reigning WNBA champions, the Phoenix Mercury slipped to seventh place in the WNBA standings with a 16-17 record. The team is currently dealing with a three-game losing streak ahead of their matchup against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, where Taurasi and Co. will look to get back to winning ways despite Natasha Cloud's absence.