In an electric preseason opener that had Chicago Skyfans on the edge of their seats, new recruits Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso showed flashes of promising chemistry, although their debut was marred by a narrow defeat against the Minnesota Lynx, 92-87, at the Target Center last Friday night.
Angel Reese, a standout performer at LSU and a national champion in 2023, quickly found her rhythm despite the team’s overall rocky start. Starting alongside Elizabeth Williams, Diamond DeShields, Marina Mabrey, and Dana Evans, Reese was a dynamic force on the court. In her 24 minutes of play, she managed to score 13 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and notched two steals and a block, demonstrating her versatility and why the Sky were eager to draft her.
Kamilla Cardoso, the towering talent from South Carolina, also made her presence felt early on, though her night ended prematurely. The excitement around her debut was cut short when she suffered a fall, injuring her right shoulder in the process. Before her exit, Cardoso had contributed six points on 3-of-5 shooting, along with four rebounds and two blocks in just 13 minutes, leaving fans wondering what could have been if she had stayed on the floor longer.
The highlight of the evening was a beautifully orchestrated play in the second quarter, where Reese connected with Cardoso in the paint. The seamless pass from Reese and the smooth finish by Cardoso was a clear indicator of the potential this duo has to offer, hinting at a dynamic partnership that could flourish with more court time.
Sky falls to a seasoned Lynx team, set stage for exciting season ahead
Despite their efforts, the Sky could not overcome the Lynx, who were propelled to victory by Courtney Williams’ impressive 17-point performance. The Lynx’s experience and cohesion ultimately gave them the upper hand in this closely contested matchup.
FINAL
Sky: 81
Lynx: 92@LA_Cruisen: 17 pts, 4 reb, 3 asts@Reese10Angel: 13 pts, 9 rebs@Danaaakianaaa: 13 pts, 2 rebs, 2 stls#skytown— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) May 4, 2024
Selected in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft, with Cardoso going as the third pick and Reese as the seventh, both players are seen as central to the Sky’s rebuilding efforts. The anticipation around their development is high, and this game, despite the loss, has only added to the excitement of what the future holds.
As the Sky prepare to conclude their preseason against the New York Liberty this Tuesday, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the team adjusts and how Reese and Cardoso recover and respond to their initial challenges. With the regular season set to start on May 15, the Sky’s new era, underpinned by its promising rookies, is just beginning to take flight.
