Kamilla Cardoso Shines as Chicago Sky's Star in WNBA 2026 Season The WNBA 2026 regular season is entering its third week, with the Chicago Sky emerging as a key contender in the East Division. Central to their success is center Kamilla Cardoso, whose stellar performance has positioned her as one of the league’s most impactful players. With the Sky navigating a transition after losing star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in a mid-season trade, Cardoso has stepped into the spotlight, delivering career-best numbers and leading her team toward playoff contention. Cardoso, a third-year player, is averaging 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, making her the Sky’s second-highest scorer and top rebounder. Her ability to dominate on both ends of the floor has been critical as the team adjusts to its new roster. Despite a 99-89 loss to the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, Cardoso showcased her all-around skills with a career-high 24 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. She shot an impressive 71.4% from the field, underscoring her efficiency in high-pressure moments. Her dominance continued in a 86-79 victory over the Minnesota Lynx, where she added a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. These performances have earned her recognition as the Chicago Sky’s Player of the Week, a testament to her growing influence in the league. The award comes as the Sky prepare for a crucial matchup against the Lynx on Saturday, May 23, which will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The Sky’s 3-2 record this season places them tied for first in the East, alongside Indiana, New York, and Atlanta. With Cardoso anchoring their offense and defense, the team is optimistic about securing a playoff berth for the first time in two seasons.#angel_reese #chicago_sky #dallas_wings #atlanta_dream #kamilla_cardoso
Sabrina Ionescu Set for Season Debut Against Dallas Wings Sabrina Ionescu is preparing to return to the court for the New York Liberty, set to make her season debut on Sunday as the team faces the Dallas Wings. The guard confirmed her participation in a press conference following practice on Saturday, expressing her excitement about rejoining the action. “It’s exciting to me,” Ionescu said. “I haven’t had a regular-season game yet, so I’m excited. It feels like it’s been a while. It hasn’t, but it feels like it’s been forever having to watch from the sidelines.” Ionescu sustained a left ankle injury during a preseason game on May 4, which has kept her sidelined since. An MRI conducted after the injury revealed no major damage to the foot or ankle, a finding that aligns with her rookie season injury but with a different context. “I could put weight on my foot, so I knew it wasn’t major,” she explained. “But it wasn’t not an injury. I knew that because of what it felt like. I knew I was going to be out for a little bit, and thankfully I can come back a lot sooner than I was supposed to with returning now.” While the MRI ruled out significant structural issues, Ionescu acknowledged there was some damage to her ankle. However, she emphasized that the injury responded quickly to treatment, and it will not require further intervention or surgery. “Once it healed, I’m good to go,” she said. “I’m really excited to be back and work myself back into feeling good as it continues to heal.” Ionescu participated in practice this week, though she was labeled as questionable for the Liberty’s Thursday game against the Golden State Valkyries. She was ultimately ruled out for that matchup but remains optimistic about her readiness for Sunday’s contest.#dallas_wings #chris_demarco #new_york_liberty #sabrina_ionescu #golden_state_valkyries
Marta Suarez Projected to Seattle Storm in Final WNBA Mock Draft at No. 14 The 2026 WNBA Draft, a highly anticipated event in the basketball calendar, is set to take place on Monday, April 13, at The Shed in New York. This year’s draft has generated significant buzz, particularly around the first overall pick, which has remained uncertain despite the league’s competitive landscape. After a dynamic first week of WNBA free agency, the Dallas Wings have emerged as the clear frontrunner to select UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd at No. 1. Other names in the mix for the top spot include Spanish forward Awa Fam, UCLA center Lauren Betts, and TCU guard Olivia Miles. However, the focus of USA TODAY’s final mock draft centers on TCU standout Marta Suarez, who is projected to be selected by the Seattle Storm at No. 14 overall. The draft order, which factors in potential trades and protections, has been meticulously analyzed by USA TODAY’s sports team. According to their projections, the Seattle Storm will use their No. 14 pick (acquired from the Las Vegas Aces) to select Marta Suarez. The Storm’s strategy for this selection highlights their long-term development approach. While the team is not seeking an immediate star, they aim to acquire a player who can contribute meaningfully to their roster. The Storm’s head coach, Karl Smesko, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Suarez’s growth, particularly in refining her defensive skills and expanding her shooting range from beyond the arc. Marta Suarez, a standout guard from TCU, has been a dominant force in college basketball this season. As of April 9, her statistical contributions include an average of 17.1 points per game, 7.4 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game. Her shooting efficiency is also notable, with a 45.3% field goal percentage and a 37.#tcu #las_vegas_aces #dallas_wings #seattle_storm #marta_suarez
WNBA Legend Says Wings Could Form Title Duo With Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd When you get to the WNBA, if you have two guards that can pretty much do everything — defend, pass, shoot the three, get to the paint — then we’re talking about building championship DNA,” Taurasi said. The Huskies just keep on winning, as they await the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Sweet 16 in the hopes that by the end of the month, Fudd, again, will be Final Four-bound. Could Paige Bueckers Play With Azzi Fudd Again? Mar 2, 2026; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Breeze BC guard Paige Bueckers (5) at Barclay's Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images “I think just from a bird’s eye view, you would say Azzi is the number one pick and, you know, the synergy that she has with Paige on the court, they play great together,” Taurasi said. Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations Published 6 hours ago | Modified 6 hours ago Zain Bando is a writer & columnist for Gameday Media's MMA Knockout, expanding his portfolio as a Staff Writer for Dallas Wings On SI with previous in-network contributions around the echosystem. Outside of covering fights, Bando's background includes Big Ten football and men's basketball with leans toward Illinois and Northwestern with a broader league view for bylines including The Sporting News, FanSided, Men's Journal and others since 2019. Bando can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or via his social media accounts @zainbando99. Home/ Paige Bueckers#paige_bueckers #azzi_fudd #wnba_legend #dallas_wings #brooklyn_ny
