The Chicago Sky held off the Connecticut Sun, 94-88, Thursday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, securing a hard-fought home victory powered by a dominant performance from center Kamilla Cardoso.
Cardoso was the engine that drove Chicago’s offense from start to finish, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 26 points while also hauling in a team-high 6 rebounds. The Brazilian big man’s interior presence proved difficult for Connecticut to contain throughout the evening, and her production gave the Sky a reliable anchor on both ends of the floor. Sydney Taylor complemented Cardoso’s scoring with a game-high 6 assists for Chicago, keeping the offense organized and the ball moving.
Connecticut’s Aneesah Morrow led all Sun scorers with 21 points, giving her team a credible offensive threat, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Chicago’s advantage. Leila Lacan matched Taylor with 6 assists for Connecticut, while Olivia Nelson-Ododa was the game’s top rebounder, pulling down 11 boards for the Sun.
Despite Connecticut’s rebounding effort — the Sun collected 34 total rebounds, including 8 on the offensive glass — the visitors could not generate enough clean looks to close the gap. Connecticut shot 44 percent from the field, connecting on 31 of 70 attempts, and struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 7 of 22 three-point tries for a 32-percent clip. The Sun did get to the free-throw line with regularity, converting 19 of 24 attempts at 79 percent, which helped keep the game competitive deep into the fourth quarter.
Turnovers were a significant factor working against Connecticut. The Sun committed 16 total turnovers on the night, a costly habit that repeatedly handed Chicago opportunities to extend its lead or answer any Sun momentum. Connecticut also recorded 10 steals and 6 blocks, showing defensive activity, but the turnover differential undermined those efforts.
The game was never a blowout, and Connecticut’s ability to generate 20 assists on the night reflected a Sun team that moved the ball with purpose. But Chicago’s composure down the stretch — anchored by Cardoso’s scoring and Taylor’s playmaking — proved to be the difference. The Sky were able to protect their lead when it mattered most, keeping Connecticut at arm’s length despite the Sun’s persistent pressure.
The six-point final margin tells the story of a competitive contest that Chicago ultimately controlled. For the Sky, the win at Wintrust Arena represents a meaningful result, with Cardoso’s 26-point, 6-rebound night serving as the clearest reason why. Connecticut, despite a strong showing from Morrow and Nelson-Ododa, will need to address its turnover issues if it hopes to bounce back in its next outing.
