Cardoso’s Historic Night Not Enough in Home Opener Loss
The Chicago Sky fell to the Dallas Wings 99-89 at Wintrust Arena on Wednesday, May 22, spoiling their home opener despite a franchise-record performance from third-year center Kamilla Cardoso. Cardoso posted 24 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists while shooting 71.4% from the floor, her best statistical game of the season.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers led all scorers with 24 points, while forward Jessica Shepard recorded the 50th triple-double in WNBA history — 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists — becoming the only player in league history with two career triple-doubles while shooting over 85% from the field. The Wings exploded for 34 points in the third quarter, seizing control of the game and never looking back.
Despite the loss, Cardoso’s performance earned her Chicago Sky Player of the Week honors for the week of May 22. The announcement came via the team’s official social media, highlighting her consistency and efficiency as the Sky (3-2) sit tied for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Rising to the Occasion After Jackson’s Injury
Cardoso’s emergence comes at a critical time for Chicago. The Sky lost star forward Rickea Jackson to a torn left ACL earlier this month after a promising 3-1 start to the season. Jackson, acquired in an April trade with the Los Angeles Sparks, was averaging 18 points per game and had formed a dynamic frontcourt pairing with Cardoso. Her absence leaves a significant void in scoring and frontcourt depth.
Head coach Tyler Marsh acknowledged the challenge, saying after the Wings loss, “It wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t the standard that we’ve set, and they made us pay for every mistake we made defensively.” The Sky have only a handful of available bigs, including Maddy Westbeld on a developmental contract, making Cardoso’s production even more vital.
Cardoso has responded by raising her season averages to 14.4 points and a team-leading 10.8 rebounds per game. She also recorded a double-double in Chicago’s 86-79 victory over the Minnesota Lynx earlier this month, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Her efficiency and rebounding have been essential as the Sky adapt to a more guard-heavy lineup featuring veteran Skylar Diggins and rising guard Gabriela Jaquez.
What the Numbers Say
Cardoso’s 24-point, 11-rebound, five-assist outing against Dallas marked her best career performance in several categories. Her 71.4% shooting efficiency underscored her dominance in the paint, while her five assists demonstrated improved playmaking. The Sky’s offense, which ranked last in the WNBA in points per game last season, has jumped to a competitive level, and Cardoso is a primary reason. She is one of four Sky players averaging at least 10 points per game.
Up next, Chicago faces the Minnesota Lynx again on Saturday, May 23, in a noon ET matchup broadcast on CBS. The Lynx are also 3-2 but will be without star forward Napheesa Collier, who remains sidelined with a left ankle injury. Sky forward Azura Stevens is listed as questionable with a left knee injury and could make her season debut, offering additional frontcourt help.
Broader Implications for Cardoso and the Sky
Cardoso’s breakout season places her among the WNBA’s rising frontcourt stars. The former South Carolina Gamecocks standout is in her third season and has steadily improved each year. With Jackson out for the season, Cardoso is now the focal point of Chicago’s offense and defense. Her ability to produce double-doubles consistently will determine how far the Sky can go in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.
In the bigger picture, Cardoso’s performance underscores the depth of talent emerging from the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball program, which has a record 12 former players active in the WNBA this season. Her growth also highlights Chicago’s successful retooling after trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in April.
The Sky’s current 3-2 record, tied for first in the East, is a strong indicator that the team can remain competitive despite injuries. If Cardoso continues playing at this level, she could earn her first All-Star selection and lead Chicago back to the playoffs for the first time since 2024. Saturday’s game against a shorthanded Lynx team presents a prime opportunity for Cardoso to continue her stellar run.
For more on how injuries are reshaping the WNBA landscape, see our coverage on Hospital Reopens, Grid Failures Mount: Power Outages Strike Three Continents.
As the season progresses, Cardoso’s emergence as a reliable star gives Chicago fans reason for optimism — even in the wake of a heartbreaking home opener.
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