Bria Hartley shoved Rebecca Allen to the floor over a rebound, sparking chaos. Ariel Atkins stepped in, and the officials ejected all three players early in the second quarter.

Sophie Cunningham defended Caitlin Clark like a black belt in an action movie, but now, the former South Carolina star’s scuffle is in the spotlight, and she’s facing serious consequences.

During a matchup against Xinjiang Magic Deer, Kamilla Cardoso was battling under the basket for a shot. She struggled to get into position and pushed her defender to create space. The play quickly turned heated when she lost her balance and missed the layup.

The news first broke on The X when @KcardosoBr shared a video from December 22 showing Cardoso getting fouled while going for a layup. Furious, she swung at the opposing player before teammates and officials separated them.The post caption read, “Kamilla suffered the foul, which ended up generating a confusion and, in the sequence, resulted in her expulsion.”

On December 23, the league fined Cardoso over $700 for the incident. The news came soon after her ejection. The league made it clear her actions would carry both financial and disciplinary consequences.

For context, Olivia Nelson-Ododa was also suspended for one game last year after an on-court altercation during Guangdong’s 85-56 win over Xinjiang.

Her punch caused little damage, but Cardoso’s attempt technically falls under the same rules, which has some fans questioning the fairness of the punishment.

These videos don’t tell the full story, something likely set Cardoso off before the foul. She has shown her fiery side before. In the 2024 SEC Championship, she shoved Flau’jae Johnson, sparking a bench-clearing melee.

She also fouled out after shoving Satou Sabally following a taunt. Both incidents drew criticism for her intensity on the court.

Chicago Sky Face Uncertain Future

Like all WNBA teams, the Sky’re dealing with uncertainty around the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks. But the Sky also have their own roster headaches. Almost every player could hit free agency if a new CBA is approved.

The Sky could keep their top 2024 draft picks, Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. Cardoso averaged 13.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 2025. Reese put up 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.

Both have shown star potential, but questions remain about how well two post players without a consistent three-point shot will mesh.

Reese has openly criticized the Sky, which could lead to a trade next year. Even with their talent, the team will need to navigate chemistry, contracts, and potential moves to find stability in the coming season.

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu