The Chicago Sky defeated the expansion Portland Fire 98-83 in their season opener inside Moda Center in Portland on May 9. This victory marks the second-most points in a Sky season opener ever and the Sky are out to a 1-0 start for the first time in three years.
Kamilla Cardoso and Skylar Diggins made history in the big win for the Sky, becoming the first duo in WNBA history to each record double-doubles in a season opener. This is also just the third time in Sky history the feat has been accomplished. Cardoso was part of the other two times it happened. Cardoso secured a 22-point, 14-rebound double-double, one rebound shy of her career high. Diggins finished the night with a near-triple-double, going for 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists along with two blocks and a steal.
| TEAM | HIGH POINTS | HIGH ASSISTS | HIGH REBOUNDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHI | K. Cardoso (22) | S. Diggins (7) | K. Cardoso (14) |
| PDX | C. Leite (18) | B. Carleton, J. Harrison (4) | L. Geiselsöder (7) |
Diggins is the seventh player in WNBA history to notch at least 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks and is the only guard to ever do so. She is also only the third player ever to do so in their age-35 season or older.
Rickea Jackson starred in her Sky debut, notching 19 points, going 8 for 10 from the free-throw line, both of which tied career highs. She added three assists and one block. Rookie Gabriela Jaquez got her first professional career start for the Sky in her league debut. Jaquez made her presence felt early and often, tallying career firsts of 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 32 minutes.
Jacy Sheldon also made her Sky debut and was a significant defensive presence. She scored 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and recorded a career-high three blocks. Coming off the bench, Elizabeth Williams was a sparkplug in the fourth quarter had a clutch stretch to end the game, scoring eight of her points in the last period. She recorded 10 points, going 4 of 5 from the field, two assists, one rebound and a block.
The Sky’s entire starting lineup scored in double figures, with three going for at least 19 points. Six players in total finished the game in double figures.
Carla Leite led the Fire in scoring with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists in the team’s return to the league. Bridget Carleton recorded 13 points, going 3 for 7 from the three-point line, four assists, one rebound, one steal and a block. Sarah Ashlee Barker came off the bench for Portland, adding 13 points and four rebounds. Luisa Geiselsöder recorded eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. To round out the Fire, Megan Gustafson finished the night with 10 points, shooting 50.0% from three, one rebound and an assist.
Other highlights include:
- Cardoso’s eight offensive rebounds were a career high
- Diggins reached 5,500 career points in tonight’s victory
- Diggins matched her career high for rebounds in a quarter with six in the fourth
- Sydney Taylor and Aicha Coulibaly made their WNBA debuts
NEXT UP: The Sky continue a four-game road trip to open the season and travel to San Francisco to play the Golden State Valkyries on Wed., May 13, inside Chase Center. This is the fourth time the teams have met since Golden State’s expansion last season. Chicago is 0-3 against the Valkyries and in franchise history.
The Valkyries are 1-0 following their first victory of the season against the Storm in last night’s matchup. Reigning Most Improved Player Veronica Burton scored 16 points in the opener while one of the standout rookies from last season Janelle Salaün added 20 off the bench to lead the Valkyries in their opening win over Seattle.
Golden State returns Kayla Thornton and Kaitlyn Chen, who scored 13 and 14 points respectively in their opening win, and added guard Gabby Williams in the offseason.
The game between Chicago and Golden State tips off at 9 p.m. CT inside Chase Center and will be broadcast locally on The U.
KEY RUNS:
- The Sky went on a 14-6 run from 2:40 in the first quarter to 6:53 in the second quarter
- Chicago went on a 22-8 run from 6:00 to 0:60 in the second quarter
- The Sky outscored the Fire 31-19 in the second quarter
- The Fire went on a 16-6 run from 9:13 to 4:58 in the third quarter
- Portland went on a 14-6 from 2:22 in the third quarter to 6:53 in the fourth quarter
- Chicago went on a 24-9 run from 8:28 to 1:10 in the fourth quarter
- The Sky closed out the game with a 30-16 differential in the fourth quarter
KEY STATS:
- The Fire totaled three blocks in the first quarter
- Chicago scored 31 points in the second quarter
- The Fire scored 30 points in the third quarter
- The Sky retaliated with 30 points in the fourth quarter
- The Sky out-rebounded the Fire 46-24
- Chicago outscored Portland in points in paint 48-40
- The Sky outscored the Fire in second chance points 15-6
- Chicago scored 16 points off Portland’s eight turnovers
- The Sky’s biggest lead was 18 points
- There were four lead changes and six ties
- The Sky recorded 12 fast break points
CHICAGO NOTES:
- Kamilla Cardoso accounted for five of the Sky’s 19 points in the first quarter
- Cardoso accounted for eight of Chicago’s 31 points in the second quarter (six points, two points created from assists)
- Skylar Diggins accounted for six of the Sky’s 18 points in the third quarter (two points, four points created from assists)
- Rickea Jackson accounted for seven of Chicago’s 30 points in the fourth quarter (five points, two points created from assists)
- Elizabeth Williams accounted for 11 the Sky’s 30 points in the fourth quarter (eight points, three points created from assists)
PORTLAND NOTES:
- Sarah Ashlee Barker accounted for seven of Portland’s 18 points in the first quarter
- Luisa Geiselsöder accounted for five of the Fire’s 19 points in the second quarter
- Megan Gustafson tallied two three-pointers in the third quarter
- Haley Jones accounted for four points of Portland’s 16 points in the fourth quarter