Since second-year center Kamilla Cardoso returned from the FIBA AmeriCup tournament — for which she missed four games — Sky head coach Tyler Marsh has been urging her to reassert herself and be aggressive.
“We’re finding ways to make sure she’s comfortable within the offense and understands how big of a part she is, scoring-wise and facilitating-wise,” Marsh said.
Cardoso’s trip interrupted a strong run in June, when she averaged 13.8 points per game on 59.5% shooting. Since returning, she’s had a slightly slower start scoring, averaging 10.7 points on 46.2% shooting.
Marsh acknowledged it can sometimes be a challenge to get both Cardoso and forward Angel Reese going simultaneously because they tend to score from similar spots on the floor. That’s part of the reason Marsh has pushed Reese to attack more from the perimeter — to create space for Cardoso as well. The duo will have to wait, though, with Reese sidelined by a leg injury.
In the meantime, Cardoso’s rebounding has picked up. She’s averaging 8.6 rebounds per game since returning, up from 6.8 before she left. That’s a welcome boost for a team that has struggled with defensive rebounding — an issue made worse during Cardoso’s absence.
Cardoso helped lead Brazil to a silver medal at AmeriCup. She called the experience of playing for longtime WNBA and former Sky coach Pokey Chatman “amazing,” noting that Chatman “understood the vision right away.”
Injury bug
The Sky were without their two best players Wednesday morning against the Dream. Marsh described Reese’s absence as more “precautionary,” while guard Ariel Atkins is still “day-to-day” and will be reevaluated after the All-Star break.
Marsh wasn’t sure how Atkins’ injury occurred — only that it’s in the calf or lower leg. She exited Monday’s game after halftime and did not return.
Reese has been managing leg discomfort and heavy minutes since late June. Marsh said she “should be OK” for the All-Star Game on Saturday in Indianapolis, but that she’s also taking it “day by day.”
The absences opened the door for rotation players, including Hailey Van Lith, to earn more time. After Courtney Vandersloot’s season-ending injury, it looked like Van Lith might step into a bigger role. But her minutes have plateaued as Rachel Banham settled in as the starting point guard. Van Lith is averaging 12.2 minutes per game.
“There’s been some growing pains there, but also some areas of success,” Marsh said of Van Lith. “We can’t overreact to the lower moments. She’s been thrown in the fire a little bit.”
Opposing praise
Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko, who’s in his first WNBA season and had led the team to a 12-9 record entering Wednesday, offered high praise for Marsh before the game.
“Watching Chicago, they look like the most improved team in the league from the beginning of the year,” Smesko said. “I give coach Marsh a lot of credit.”
After a slow start that got worse with Vandersloot’s injury, the Sky have stabilized. Marsh has continued to preach patience and the long view, and the locker room hasn’t fractured.
