What started as a statement night for Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky ended in embarrassment, as rookie phenom Kamilla Cardoso led a furious Indiana Fever comeback that flipped a double-digit deficit into a jaw-dropping win. The Sky, who led by as much as 15 points, watched their momentum crumble under relentless interior domination by Cardoso and the surging Fever squad.

In a game that was expected to be a defining moment for the Sky’s young core, it was the 6’7” Brazilian rookie who defined the moment—and possibly shifted the balance of rookie power in the WNBA.

A Hot Start Turns Ice Cold for the Sky

The Sky came out firing on all cylinders. Angel Reese racked up 10 rebounds before halftime, and Chicago’s offense flowed smoothly through the pick-and-roll with Marina Mabrey and Chennedy Carter pushing the pace. By the mid-third quarter, the Sky held a commanding 67–52 lead, and it appeared that their aggressive rebounding and pace would carry them to an easy win.

But then something snapped.

Cardoso, who had been relatively quiet early on, turned up the heat. It started with a pair of blocks on back-to-back possessions that ignited Indiana’s transition game. From that point forward, the Fever closed the third quarter on a 14–2 run, trimming Chicago’s lead to just three going into the fourth.

Kamilla Cardoso: From Rookie to Wrecking Ball

Kamilla Cardoso finished with a game-high 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks—but it wasn’t just the stat line that told the story. It was her presence. She altered shots, battled on the boards, and made Angel Reese’s night a nightmare.

Reese, for her part, ended with 14 points and 13 rebounds, but she struggled to finish around the rim late, converting just 2 of her last 8 shots in the fourth quarter. Cardoso’s length and timing completely neutralized Reese’s interior game down the stretch.

“Kamilla Cardoso just took over,” said Fever head coach Christie Sides postgame. “She imposed her will on both ends of the floor and gave us the confidence we needed to finish that game.”

Fourth Quarter Collapse: What Went Wrong?

The Sky looked like they ran out of ideas once the Fever turned up the pressure. In the final five minutes, Chicago turned the ball over four times, missed eight consecutive field goals, and gave up critical offensive rebounds that allowed Indiana to kill the clock.

The Fever, led by Cardoso and Kelsey Mitchell, went on a 15–5 run to close the game, silencing the Chicago home crowd and putting an exclamation point on a game that slipped through the Sky’s fingers.

“This is a team that still doesn’t know how to finish games,” said ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. “They can build a lead, but when adversity hits, they collapse.”

Social Media EXPLODES: Reese vs. Cardoso Heats Up

The showdown between Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso was the talk of social media all night. Fans and analysts alike took to X (formerly Twitter) to weigh in on the rookie rivalry that is quickly turning into must-watch TV.

@HoopsNation: “Kamilla Cardoso is HIM. Angel Reese just got put in a blender. Rookie of the Year race just got flipped on its head.”

@WNBAcentral: “This was Cardoso’s statement game. She dominated the paint and made it clear: she’s not here to play second fiddle.”

The viral moment came in the fourth quarter when Cardoso blocked a shot from Reese, stared her down, and then ran back in transition without saying a word. It was cold. It was calculated. And it was everything fans love about a growing rivalry.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Chicago & Indiana

This loss stings for the Sky—not just because of the blown lead, but because it exposed key weaknesses:

Late-game execution: Chicago has now lost four games this season where they led by 10+ points.

Interior defense: Without a true rim protector, they’re vulnerable when teams attack the paint.

Angel Reese’s usage: The Sky are leaning heavily on Reese for both scoring and rebounding. When she’s neutralized, their offense stagnates.

For Indiana, the message is clear: Cardoso is ready. With Caitlin Clark commanding attention on the perimeter and Cardoso owning the paint, the Fever now boast one of the most dangerous young duos in the league.

“This is just the beginning,” said Cardoso after the game. “I’m getting more comfortable every night, and I know what I can bring.”

Angel Reese: Grace Under Fire or Cracks in the Armor?

To her credit, Reese remained composed in the postgame press conference.

“They made plays, and we didn’t. That’s on us,” she said. “We’ll see them again.”

Still, the frustration showed. She left the court without shaking hands, avoided eye contact with Cardoso, and declined to comment further on the physicality in the paint.

Critics are beginning to ask whether the intense spotlight—both media and fan-driven—is starting to wear on the former LSU star. Her competitive fire is undeniable, but when things don’t go her way, the emotional fallout is impossible to ignore.

What’s Next?

The Fever now look to ride this momentum into their next matchup with the Seattle Storm, while Chicago will need to regroup quickly before taking on the surging Las Vegas Aces. For Reese and the Sky, the question is no longer whether they have talent—it’s whether they can put it together when it matters.

Meanwhile, Kamilla Cardoso’s rise is no longer a quiet one. She’s here. And she’s already changing the WNBA’s rookie narrative.

Final Word

What was billed as a marquee rookie matchup ended with one clear takeaway: Kamilla Cardoso dominated every level of the game. Angel Reese may be the more recognizable name, but if this game was any indication, Cardoso might be the bigger threat.

As the WNBA’s new era unfolds, rivalries like this will define the league’s future—and fans better buckle up. Because this one’s just getting started.