In a surprising yet defining moment for the Chicago Sky, rookie center Camila Cardoso delivered a breakout performance that may have reshaped the future direction of the franchise. Scoring a career-high 23 points while anchoring both ends of the floor, Cardoso’s performance made one thing crystal clear: the Sky play their best basketball when the offense runs through her—not Angel Reese.

For weeks, the Sky had been trying to build around Reese, the high-profile rookie whose popularity far exceeds her on-court production. But in the team’s first win of the season, head coach Tyler Marsh made a gutsy call—he benched Reese for the entire fourth quarter. And what happened next might just be the blueprint Chicago needed all along.

With Reese off the court, the Sky’s offense suddenly came to life. The ball started moving freely. The floor spacing improved. Players looked more in sync. And most importantly, Cardoso thrived in her role as the centerpiece of the offense. She scored the team’s first 10 points, dominated in the paint, and showed composure and confidence well beyond her years.

Cardoso finished the night shooting 9-of-13 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, while also grabbing 8 rebounds. Her efficiency, positioning, and decision-making stood in stark contrast to Reese’s forced shots and offensive hesitancy. While Cardoso was making smart, impactful plays, Reese ended the game with just 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting, despite playing 25 minutes.

Perhaps even more telling was what happened when Reese wasn’t in the game. The team’s ball movement improved. The offense looked fluid. And the Sky outscored Dallas in the fourth quarter. Chicago’s improved cohesion in crunch time without Reese highlighted what had become an uncomfortable truth: she might be holding the team back.

Coach Marsh didn’t avoid the conversation post-game. He acknowledged Reese’s effort on the boards and her ability to hustle, but was clear that her offensive role needed refinement. She’s not a scorer. She’s a role player—someone who can rebound, defend, and provide energy. And that’s okay. Every team needs players like that. But asking her to be the focal point has simply not worked.

Meanwhile, Cardoso’s impact was undeniable. Her offensive skill set, combined with her ability to anchor the paint, gives the Sky something they’ve desperately lacked: a reliable interior force. Sky veteran Courtney Vandersloot recognized this too, saying after the game, “She needs to touch the ball a lot. She understands the game really well.”

With Vandersloot directing the offense and Cardoso commanding the post, the Sky finally looked like a professional team. Other players like Ariel Atkins also stepped up, showing the kind of rhythm and chemistry that had been missing all season.

The contrast between Reese and Cardoso couldn’t have been more obvious—not just in individual stats, but in team performance. When Reese is the primary option, the Sky stall. When Cardoso is involved early and often, they click.

What’s more, this isn’t a one-game anomaly. Reese has been inefficient all season, averaging low shooting percentages while taking ill-advised shots. In contrast, Cardoso has quietly been building momentum. And now, with increased minutes and touches, she’s proving she deserves to be the centerpiece.

The numbers don’t lie. When Reese plays fewer minutes, the Sky are more competitive. When Cardoso gets the ball in her hands, good things happen. This is the formula for success that Chicago stumbled upon—and one they would be wise to embrace moving forward.

Camila Cardoso isn’t just a promising rookie. She’s emerging as the Sky’s real star. If Chicago continues to build around her, they might just have found the key to unlocking a winning season.