Why is Kamilla Cardoso not playing tonight vs Wings? Exploring the status of the No. 3 pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft (May 18)

Kamilla Cardoso is still roughly two weeks into what was reportedly going to be a 4-6-week recovery from a shoulder injury. The former South Carolina superstar suffered the injury on May 3 in the Chicago Sky’s first WNBA preseason game versus the Minnesota Lynx. She looked shaken up but eventually jogged back to play defense.

Cardoso didn’t appear to have a problem with both shoulders after she rolled them to check the discomfort. A day after the Lynx game, the Sky announced that she would have to be shelved for at least a month before being re-evaluated.

The Brazilian was unsurprisingly emotional when asked about the injury but vowed to be back better than ever.

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When could Kamilla Cardoso return?

Six weeks may be a conservative timeline but the Chicago Sky are unlikely to rush her return. She will join in scrimmages with the team only once she's cleared to do so by team doctors.

Chicago has a potentially great frontline with Cardoso and Angel Reese on the roster. The “Chi Barbie” struggled in the first half against the Dallas Wings but improved as the game wore on. The Sky can’t risk their future by allowing a premature return for Cardoso, a two-time NCAA champ.

Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon will likely give an update about Kardoso’s rehab in the fourth week.

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Kamilla Cardoso would have been a big help against the Wings

The Chicago Sky won the first quarter 25-16 but the Dallas Wings steadily imposed their will in the game.

Dallas crushed Chicago in points in the paint (60-42) behind six-foot-seven center Teaira McCowan and forward Natasha Howard. They combined for 33 points, 26 rebounds and three blocks to own the shaded lane.

When McCowan sat out, six-foot-seven Kalani Brown took over, underlining the Wings’ massive edge in the front court. Stephanie Soares was also a handful to contain in limited minutes as Howard’s reliever.

Kamilla Cardoso would have been tailor-made to engage the Wings’ inside operators. Without her, Chicago had to rely on Elizabeth Williams, Angel Reese and Brianna Turner, all six-foot-three, to jostle with the hosts’ frontcourt.

The rematch on Saturday will likely be less tough as Howard recently broke her foot. But Teresa Weatherspoon knows the home team will be even more determined to play well without the veteran forward.

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