No matter how thrilling it might be for the spectators, no team wants their playoff hopes to hang by a thread, with tension filling the locker room. Yet, that’s exactly where the Chicago Sky find themselves after a tough loss to the Phoenix Mercury, with two crucial games left on the schedule. But the real buzz from that game came from an unexpected coaching decision. Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon made an intriguing call regarding Kamilla Cardoso, and now, she’s opened up about the reasoning behind it.

Right after the Sky’s tough 93-88 loss to the Mercury at Wintrust Arena, head coach Teresa Weatherspoon faced a barrage of questions during the post-game press conference. Well, not surprising, the first one was about her decision to bench Kamilla Cardoso for the entire second half.

Addressing the situation, Weatherspoon explained in the conference, “Yes. Her health is more important to me than anything. And when we spoke, that’s what she was feeling. It’s more important to make sure that she’s healthy.”

Although Sky rookie earned a spot in the starting lineup against the Mercury, her impact was minimal due to limited playing time. The 23-year-old center played just 9 minutes in the first half before spending the rest of the game on the bench. In her brief stint, the 23-year-old center managed to score 2 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and tallied 2 blocks in her name.

Despite Cardoso’s importance, especially in the absence of star rookie Angel Reese, the decision to limit her play seemed driven by a desire to avoid further injury risks. With Reese already sidelined for the season after picking a wrist injury against the Sparks, head coach Weatherspoon couldn’t risk losing another key player—especially with the Sky’s playoff hopes still alive. Keeping Cardoso’s fitness in consideration was a strategic move from the team after the discomfort she was facing post Lynx game.

Kamilla Cardoso’s injury concerns that led to limited playing time

Cardoso delivered a standout performance against the Minnesota Lynx, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds, showing no signs of trouble during the game. No injury updates were shared afterward, leaving everyone assuming she was fine. However, reports later surfaced hinting that Cardoso wasn’t at full strength, sparking concerns about her health and raising questions about her availability in the games ahead.

The popular WNBA news source, The Underdog WNBA, took to X to share an update, tweeting, “Kamilla Cardoso (shoulder) questionable for Sunday.” While the exact timing of her injury remains uncertain, it seems Cardoso has been battling some shoulder discomfort for a while now.

https://twitter.com/Underdog__WNBA/status/1835077418744246574

Losing Kamilla Cardoso would undoubtedly be a tough blow for the Sky, especially considering her recent surge in performance. With Angel Reese sidelined, Cardoso has been vital to the team’s rebounding efforts, ranking just behind Reese with 8.1 boards per game, making her absence even more significant. As the Sky prepare to face the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, a key playoff rival, coach Weatherspoon will be hoping Cardoso can recover in time for the crucial game.