Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso Set to Make WNBA Debut vs. Caitlin Clark, Fever After Injury

Julia StumbaughMay 31, 2024

Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Chicago Sky rookie Kamilla Cardoso is set to make her WNBA debut Saturday against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

The Sky listed Cardoso as “probable/available” Friday evening, and the Chicago Tribune’s Julia Poe reported that she is “expected” to play.

Cardoso has been sidelined for the first six games of the season since suffering a shoulder injury May 3 in a preseason contest.

She and teammate Angel Reese could play together for the first time when the game tips off at 12 p.m. ET in Indianapolis.

Cardoso is joining the Sky after helping lead South Carolina to an undefeated championship season as the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

She averaged 14.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in her senior college season prior to entering the draft.

The 6-foot-7 center made her WNBA preseason debut against the Minnesota Lynx, recording six points, four rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes.

She suffered the injury during a collision that she later said forced her shoulder into “an unnatural position halfway down her arm,” Poe wrote.

Cardoso set June 1 as her target date to return on a May 21 Instagram livestream, according to ESPN. Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon later confirmed that date.

She returned to practice that same day in a limited capacity, per ESPN. Weatherspoon said she was “pain free” as of Tuesday, and that she resumed taking contact in practice this week, Poe reported.

Chicago also listed Isabelle Harrison as probable/available for Saturday’s game. The veteran forward is looking to make her return after undergoing knee surgery last May.

The Sky have so far pieced together a 3-3 record with a starting rotation largely consisting of Marina Mabrey, Dana Evans, Diamond DeShields, Elizabeth Williams and Reese. Adding Harrison and Cardoso as options could provide the frontcourt boost this team needs to climb the WNBA standings.

Reese has established herself as one of the best rookies in the WNBA in Cardoso’s absence. She became the third player in league history to grab 15 offensive rebounds through three games before recording her first pro double-double Tuesday.

Clark and the Los Angeles Sparks’ Cameron Brink are also establishing themselves as early WNBA Rookie of the Year candidates, but Cardoso could be set to challenge them if she is able to translate her rebounding abilities to the pros.