Chicago Sky Dominate Portland Fire 98-83 in Historic Performance

4 days ago 6

PORTLAND – An electric buzz filled the Moda Center on Saturday night as the Chicago Sky opened the 2026 WNBA season with a 98–83 win over the expansion Portland Fire.

Kamilla Cardoso and Skylar Diggins wasted no time making history in their first regular-season game together. In the Sky’s 98-83 win over the expansion Portland Fire, the duo became the first teammates in WNBA history to each record a 20-point double-double in a season opener. This historic WNBA season opener also etched its place in franchise history, ranking as the second-highest scoring total.

Cardoso & Diggins Combine for 43 PTS

The Chicago Sky found their rhythm in the season opener, with Cardoso and Diggins combining for 43 points in a standout performance. The duo set the tone early and maintained control on both ends, giving Chicago a steady offensive edge throughout the game. See the post game press conference here.

The Sky ultimately leaned on their size, discipline, and interior dominance to separate themselves, setting a clear early identity built around physicality and execution. With Cardoso anchoring the paint and Diggins controlling tempo, Chicago showed it can win in multiple ways, through scoring bursts, defensive stops, and sheer rebounding pressure.

Head coach Tyler Marsh praised the chemistry and decision-making between Chicago’s guards and interior presence, pointing to the way the Sky consistently adjusted to what Portland gave them defensively. He highlighted Kamilla Cardoso’s ability to vary her screening angles and timing, which kept the defense off balance and opened up clean looks throughout the game.

“Sky did a great job reading it, and Mill [Cardoso] did a great job of mixing when she set and when she slipped. They were at their best today.”

The Dynamic Duo

Just days after the Chicago Sky made headlines for their aggressive roster revamp, including waiving Hailey Van Lith and multiple 2025 draft picks, Diggins and Cardoso delivered the kind of performance that immediately justified the organization’s win-now direction.

From the opening tip, Chicago played with urgency, chemistry, and the type of confidence that reflected a team fully embracing its new identity. The performance also etched the pair into franchise history, marking just the third time in Chicago Sky history that multiple players recorded 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds in the same game. In a week filled with questions surrounding roster decisions and the franchise’s new direction, Chicago answered early with one of its most complete offensive performances.

The Sky opened the 2026 season with a win and moved to 1-0 for the first time in three years, backed by strong individual performances and control on the boards. Chicago played with pace and confidence, setting the tone for what they want this season to look like. Diggins dictated tempo with her veteran presence, while Cardoso anchored the interior with physicality and confidence throughout the night. Cardoso finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Diggins added 21 points and 11 rebounds in a performance that immediately gave Chicago one of the strongest starts in the league.

Inside The Sky’s Revamped Roster

Leading the way for this revamped Chicago Sky roster was veteran guard Skylar Diggins, whose presence immediately brought a different level of control and intensity to the floor. The seven-time All-Star made her impact felt in every area of the game, finishing with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, effortlessly reaffirming exactly why the organization brought her to Chicago.

Diggins played with the kind of edge and competitiveness that has defined her career, setting the tone for a team looking to establish a more successful and disciplined identity this season. Beyond the numbers, it was her command of the offense, defensive energy, and vocal leadership that stood out throughout the night. With all five starters finishing in double figures, the Sky looked connected, confident, and fully feeding off the atmosphere inside the arena.

“That atmosphere was electric. My ears are still ringing. My voice is hoarse from screaming… almost 20,000 people here tonight. For the ‘nobody watches women’s sports’ crowd, you just continue to get proven wrong.”

Kamilla Cardoso has taken a long, steady road to becoming the Sky’s anchor. Originally from Montes Claros, Brazil, she moved to the United States at 15 to pursue basketball, eventually rising through the high school ranks in Tennessee before competing at the collegiate level. Her path carried her through one of the most storied programs in women’s basketball at South Carolina under Dawn Staley, where she became a two-time national champion and the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 Final Four. She was then selected third overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft to the Chicago Sky.

Cardoso was dominant the season opener, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds, including eight offensive boards that consistently extended possessions, swinging momentum in the Sky’s favor. Her rim protection, activity on the glass, and ability to run the floor for her size gave Chicago a clear interior presence to balance its perimeter scoring, a reflection of the organization’s commitment to rebuilding its front court around size, dominance, and interior control.

“I think this is going to be a breakout year for her. We’re just setting the tone of what to expect from her. We know what she’s capable of and we’re going to continue to play through her.” – Skaylar Diggins on Kamilla Cardoso

Rickea Jackson is already making her presence felt in Chicago. After developing into one of the Sparks’ young offensive weapons last season, Jackson brought that same scoring confidence and physicality to the Sky, finishing with 19 points and tying a career high with eight made free throws. Jackson is already making her presence felt in Chicago. proving to be an immediate offensive spark.

As the Sky continue building their identity, Natasha Cloud adds a layer of toughness and urgency to the roster. Even while sidelined for the opener due to illness, Cloud’s defensive mindset, leadership, and vocal presence were still felt throughout the night, Paired with Skylar Diggins’ command of the offense and Rickea Jackson’s scoring versatility, Chicago’s new core is starting to take shape around intensity, pace, and physicality

“She’s just fearless. She does the little things. She be getting out [in transition] and I’m like, ‘That’s what we’ve been missing.’ You can expect her to get out like a track meet every time.”

Rookie Gabriela Jaquez stepped into her first professional start with poise, finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. On the perimeter, Jacy Sheldon added 13 points and four assists while setting a new career high with three blocks, helping set the tone for a defense that stayed active and disruptive throughout the night against Portland.

One of the more intriguing early storylines remains Gabriela Jaquez, the over 2026 draft selection who is already beginning to carve out a role in the guard rotation. Her pace, energy, and fearless approach immediately stood out, reflecting the kind of player Chicago wants to build around.