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    CHICAGO —  The Chicago Sky put together their most complete performance of the season Friday night, cruising to a historic 124-94 win over the Portland Fire at Wintrust Arena. The victory completed a perfect 3-0 season sweep of Portland as the Sky rewrote both the franchise and WNBA record books with one of the best offensive performances the league has ever seen. Chicago’s ball movement, efficient shooting, and the long-awaited return of Courtney Vandersloot bolstered the Sky to a statement win, improving to 6-12 on the season. The Chicago Sky now rank 6th in the Eastern Conference standings during the 2026 WNBA season.

    The Return of the Courtney Vandersloot

    While the record books were rewritten all night, the biggest moment inside Wintrust Arena came before the final buzzer. After spending more than a year away from the game with a torn ACL, Courtney Vandersloot made her long-awaited return to the floor. The Chicago crowd rose to its feet as the franchise icon checked into the game, welcoming back the player who helped shape the Sky into a championship organization.

    “She was back tonight like she had never left. She embodies everything this city is about… she means a lot to everyone in that locker room,” said Head Coach Tyler Marsh in the post game press conference.

    Vandersloot wasted no time reminding everyone why she’s one of the greatest point guards in WNBA history. In just 14 minutes, the franchise’s all-time leader in points and assists finished with 10 points, seven assists and three rebounds, becoming the only player in league history to record at least 10 points and seven assists in fewer than 14 minutes. On a night defined by historic numbers, there was no more fitting storyline than seeing one of the faces of the franchise return and immediately make history once again.

    “I think the anticipation was the hardest part,” Vandersloot admitted. “I just wanted to get those first minutes out of the way because I’ve been working for a year for that exact moment. Once I got on the floor, it was all such a familiar feeling.”

    The Cardoso Affecr

    Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso captured by Matt Marton-Imagn Images

    If there were any doubts about Kamilla Cardoso’s All-Star trajectory, they were silenced by a performance for the ages. Cardoso became the first center and only the second player in WNBA history to score 30+ points while shooting 100% from the field. Stat of the Night: 66.2%. The Sky’s team field goal percentage against Portland was the third-highest in WNBA history and the best in franchise history.

    Head Coach Tyler Marsh praised her growth, noting, “Her trust in her teammates and her trust in herself has been evident… she hasn’t let woes on one side affect her on the other. She earned this.”

    Going a flawless 13-for-13, Cardoso broke Nneka Ogwumike’s 2016 record for the most field goals in a game without a miss. Beyond the scoring, she anchored the glass with eight rebounds. Speaking after the game, Cardoso revealed that a halftime text from her former college coach, Dawn Staley, served as the catalyst for her dominant second half.

    “Honestly, after halftime. I got on my phone and my coach from college had texted me, so after halftime for sure.”The victory completed a 3-0 season sweep of Portland and saw Chicago set a new WNBA record for the most assists in a single game with 38.

    A Rookie for the Ages

    Chicago Sky guard Sydney Taylor (captured by Matt Marton-Imagn Images

    The Rookie of the Year candidate Sydney Taylor continued her breakout campaign with another masterclass, pouring in 29 points in just 23 minutes. Taylor was nearly automatic, shooting 72.7% from the field and an eye-popping 85.7% from beyond the arc as she picked apart Portland’s defense possession after possession.

    The rookie’s performance wasn’t just impressive—it was historic. Taylor recorded the most efficient 25-point game by a rookie in WNBA history, while her team-best +34 plus-minus ranked among the best ever posted by a first-year player. Whether she was knocking down transition threes, creating her own shot, or attacking the rim with confidence, Taylor looked every bit like the future of Chicago’s backcourt and continued to strengthen her case as one of the league’s top rookies

    Statistical Dominance

    Chicago Sky forward -center Azura Stevens (30) captured by Matt Marton-Imagn Images

    Chicago’s offense operated like a well-oiled machine from start to finish. The Sky finished with a WNBA-record 38 assists, moving the ball with precision and assisting on 84.4% of their made field goals—the highest assist rate ever by a team with at least 30 assists. The unselfish play fueled a historic offensive outing as Chicago also set franchise records with 124 points and a 66.2% field-goal percentage, the highest mark in team history and the third-best shooting performance in WNBA history. The Sky also tied the franchise record with 15 made three-pointers and poured in a franchise-best 71 points in the second half.

    Skylar Diggins orchestrated the offense to perfection, matching her season high with nine assists while adding 10 points. Azurá Stevens continued her steady play with 11 points and six assists, impacting the game well beyond the box score. Chicago’s depth was just as important, as Jacy Sheldon and Rachel Banham combined for 19 points off the bench to keep the pressure on Portland. Every player who stepped onto the floor contributed, making Friday night’s performance less about one standout star and more about a team firing on all cylinders.

    Despite the onslaught, Portland saw five players reach double figures. Bridget Carleton led the Fire with 20 points, and Carla Leite added 18. However, Portland simply couldn’t withstand Chicago’s second-half surge—a 38-8 run spanning the third and fourth quarters that turned a competitive game into a historic blowout.

    Next Up: A Date at the United Center

    The Sky will look to carry this momentum into one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. Chicago will move across town to the United Center on Sunday, June 28, to host the Las Vegas Aces.

    The 3 p.m. matchup will feature a clash of titans as Kamilla Cardoso looks to continue her dominance against two-time MVP A’ja Wilson. With the Sky aiming to improve their standing in the Western Conference race and a national audience watching on CBS, the energy in the “Madhouse on Madison” is expected to be electric.


    Stat of the Night: The Sky recorded 22 assists in the second half alone—a new WNBA all-time record for a single half.

    The post Sloot Returns, Chicago Sky Dominate Portland Fire 124-94 appeared first on The Hype Magazine.

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