Sky 82 - Storm 80 (8/16/2026): Cardoso's Double-Double Seals Win

The Chicago Sky pulled off a narrow 82-80 victory over the Seattle Storm at the Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday, August 16, 2026. In a tightly contested affair, the Sky secured their 13th win of the season, further establishing their position in the Eastern Conference. The Storm, despite a valiant effort, now hold a record of 7-30 in the Western Conference.

First Half Dominance

Chicago Sky came out strong in the first quarter, putting up 23 points while holding the Storm to just 11. Their defensive intensity set the tone early, allowing them to maintain the upper hand throughout the opening half.

Continuing their momentum into the second quarter, the Sky managed another 23 points. Meanwhile, the Storm began to find their rhythm but were still trailing at halftime with an 18-point second quarter.

Storm's Comeback Attempt

Seattle came alive in the third quarter, scoring 26 points to narrow the gap significantly. The Storm's performance was highlighted by Dominique Malonga's strong showing under the basket.

Despite the Storm's resurgence, the Sky managed to hold their lead, albeit by a slim margin, going into the final quarter. Key contributions from Kamilla Cardoso and Natasha Cloud ensured that the Sky stayed competitive.

Final Quarter Tensions

The fourth quarter saw both teams battling it out in a nail-biting finish. Seattle put up 25 points, striving to overturn the deficit, yet fell just short as Chicago scored 22 to seal the victory.

Chicago's efficient free-throw shooting, with a rate of 81.5%, played a crucial role in their win. Cardoso's dominance in the paint with 22 points and 12 rebounds was pivotal for the Sky.

On the Seattle side, Dominique Malonga shone brightly with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Ezi Magbegor's contribution of 17 points also kept the Storm in contention until the final buzzer.

Overall, Chicago's ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, as evidenced by their 12 offensive rebounds, provided them with the edge they needed. Despite their 17 turnovers, they managed to outlast the Storm's late surge.

Seattle, despite a better shooting percentage of 40.3% compared to Chicago's 36.0%, was unable to translate their efforts into a victory. The Storm's 13 blocks showcased their defensive prowess but couldn't compensate for their lower free-throw attempts.

Next up, the Chicago Sky will return home to face the New York Liberty on August 18, 2026, aiming to build on this victory. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm will look to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming road game against the Dallas Wings on August 23, 2026.

This game underscored the importance of resilience and execution under pressure, with the Chicago Sky emerging with a hard-earned win. Both teams displayed commendable efforts, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next encounters.