The Chicago Sky dominated the Connecticut Sun 88-64 on Wednesday night, thanks in large part to a sharp outing from Kamilla Cardoso. The rookie center poured in 16 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting night, setting the tone early with eight quick points in the opening quarter.
The win gave Chicago a much-needed boost, moving them to 10-30 on the season and ensuring they wouldn’t join the 2006 expansion squad as the only Sky team to finish with just one win. Ball movement fueled the victory, with five players scoring in double figures — Cardoso, Angel Reese, Rachel Banham, Kia Nurse, and Elizabeth Williams — as the team racked up 22 assists.
Cardoso’s growth continues to be one of the bright spots in a season where the Sky have already been eliminated from playoff contention. “I feel like I’ve been playing better since the All-Star break,” Cardoso told the Sun-Times earlier this week, and her coaches agree, noting her improved rebounding, passing, and communication. She’s averaging 13.3 points and 8.4 rebounds on the year and looks increasingly comfortable against physical competition.
The Sun, meanwhile, struggled with injuries and execution. Guard Bria Hartley was recently ruled out for the year with a torn meniscus, and forward Aneesah Morrow exited Wednesday’s game in the second quarter and did not return. Connecticut managed only 27 points in the first half, with Tina Charles and Saniya Rivers being the lone double-digit scorers.
For once, tensions between the two teams didn’t boil over. Previous matchups have been heated, but interim head coach Tyler Marsh joked pregame that his main objective was “not get ejected” — and he delivered.
Reese’s suspension looms
The Sky won’t be at full strength Friday against the Indiana Fever. Angel Reese drew her eighth technical foul of the season in the second quarter for a “hostile act,” which triggers an automatic one-game suspension.
Marsh acknowledged that the Sky have tried appealing some of her previous technicals without success. The timing is difficult for Reese, who recently voiced frustrations with the organization.
Draft lottery outlook
With just four games left, the Sky’s draft lottery situation is almost set. Chicago holds the second-best odds at the No. 1 overall pick (25%), but that selection belongs to the Minnesota Lynx. Instead, the Sky will receive Connecticut’s first-round pick, which comes with a 7% chance of securing the top selection and a 9.3% chance at No. 2.
