Kamilla Cardoso Shines in Preseason Showdown: Key Insights From Chicago Sky's Victory Over Minnesota

Wishing you a happy birthday, Angel Reese. The Chicago Sky began their 2025 Wintrust Arena schedule with a victory.

Here are our takeaways from the Sky’s 74-69 preseason win over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday evening.

Courtney Vandersloot is performing at her peak midway through the season.

Following the 2024 season, the top priority for the Sky team became identifying a genuine point guard to orchestrate their offensive plays.

Lindsay Allen and Dana Evans worked hard to make the offense work, but the consistency wasn’t there. It was clear the Sky felt the same as they traded both Evans and Allen this offseason and brought franchise legend Courtney Vandersloot back into the fold.

It really shows what a difference it makes to have an authentic leader on the court.

The Sky's attack was intentional. Their movements and the flow of the ball dictated the rotation of their offense. The Lynx's defense is considered among the top defenses in the league. Nevertheless, the Sky managed to find and exploit vulnerabilities through precise passes made by Vandersloot.

Her impact extends further than just her shooting ability. Vandersloot excels not only from long range but also in the mid-range and near the basket. Even more noteworthy is that she takes under her wing the first-round draft pick, Hailey Van Lith, for mentorship.

Vandersloot's appearance must bring joy to many.

Many will be as delighted as Kamilla Cardoso.

Cardoso ought to be more involved in the offensive plays.

The person who would gain the most advantage from having a genuine point guard on the court is undoubtedly Cardoso.

The center from South Carolina who is in his second year scored in double digits offensively after only 15 minutes had passed in the game on Tuesday.

Acknowledge Vandersloot for this achievement. Regardless of whether Cardoso moved towards the basket, remained stationary, or retreated from it, Vandersloot consistently located her in optimal positions with precise assists. Additionally, Cardoso appears more adept as a scorer now. She exudes confidence in utilizing her 6-foot-7 stature across various maneuvers effectively.

She looked like a mismatch as a rookie. Now, with WNBA experience, she looks like a player that’s growing the ways she can exploit those mismatches.

When it comes to crucial moments, Hailey Van Lith is a blessing.

As the Sky lagged behind by one point, 67-66, with approximately a minute remaining, Hailey Van Lith delivered the play of the evening.

She shrugged off a Lynx defender and made a critical three-point shot to take the lead. This pivotal play by the first-round rookie propelled the Sky to victory.

That clutch gene she found at Louisville and TCU was evident on Tuesday evening. It was a moment that also sent Wintrust Arena into a frenzy.

In July, we will observe how Ariel Atkins makes an impact on the game.

Prior to the match on Tuesday, Sky’s head coach Tyler Marsh was questioned about his vision for Ariel Atkins' role with the team.

"Score," he said bluntly.

He’s right. Atkins was taking shots confidently. She was active at the perimeter. That will pay dividends come July and the heat of the season.

Last year, when Cardoso and Reese began finding their stride offensively midseason, there was no consistent 3-point threat to complement that post offense.

Atkins brings that not only then, but immediately.