In Photos: Kamilla Cardoso expresses excitement for WNBA restart with series of pictures from Sky's games this season

Chicago Sky rookie Kamilla Cardoso helped her team to a 93-85 victory over the two-time, defending champion Las Vegas Aces in mid-July. The Sky earned an important road win before the WNBA gave way to the Olympics. Chicago’s next game, which will be at home against the Phoenix Mercury, happens a month away after the Vegas win.

The players who weren’t named to Team USA are starting to work out for the second-half grind. A handful of teams have already shared photos of their players breaking out sweat to prepare for the closing months of the regular season. Cardoso and some of her Sky teammates are heading to Chicago to do the same.

On Friday, the former South Carolina star went on Instagram to share her thoughts about the next half of the season:

“two weeks 🥰🏀”

Accompanying Kamilla Cardoso’s caption were photos of herself competing in the WNBA. One of the pictures showed her going up against Atlanta Dream star, Tina Charles. There is no denying how excited Cardoso is for the games to restart.

Cardoso’s rookie campaign got off to a disastrous start. She injured her shoulder in a preseason game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 3. The Brazilian sat out for nearly a month before making her debut against former South Carolina teammate Aliyah Boston and the Indiana Fever.

The timing of Cardoso’s return could not have been perfect as she added hype to the first WNBA meeting between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.

The Chicago Sky swallowed a bitter pill after losing 71-70 to the highly anticipated match against the Fever but were ecstatic with Kamilla Cardoso’s debut. A healthy Cardoso and the All-Star play of Reese could push the Sky to a playoff appearance this year.

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Chicago needs Kamilla Cardoso to play better in the second half of the season

A few weeks ago, the Chicago Sky announced that former All-Star Elizabeth Williams had a season-ending knee surgery. Williams suffered a torn meniscus against the Washington Mystics on June 6. Before Cardoso played, it was the veteran who played as starting center for the Sky.

Without Williams, Chicago’s interior will be tested against elite teams. She has to play well on both ends of the floor to help the Sky push for a playoff spot.

Kamilla Cardoso has to answer the bell on offense as well. Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon has been relying on her defensively but she will have to step up on the other side of the ball. Marina Mabrey forcing a trade is a significant loss to the team. Everybody will have to pick up the slack, particularly Cardoso.