Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh is standing firmly behind Kamilla Cardoso amid the team’s recent skid.

After starting the 2026 WNBA season 3-1, the Sky have dropped three straight games. Outside critics have been quick to point the finger at Cardoso.

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In the aftermath of Wednesday’s 111-104 loss to the Toronto Tempo, Marsh shut down that narrative.

“This isn’t a ‘we lost because of Camilla’ type of vibe or game,” he told reporters after the game. “We all could have played better defensively.”

Marsh made clear he always has her back.

“I think that Camilla feels the love, and she knows the love and the confidence that we have in her,” continued the Sky coach. “And I think the outside noise can kind of creep in a little bit in terms of what expectations should and shouldn’t be of her.”

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Cardoso finished Wednesday’s loss with the worst game of her season. She managed just two points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field, adding five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes.

Marsh called it a simple off night for the 6-foot-7 center.

“People are afforded these types of nights, and she understands how important she is to us on both ends,” he said. “It’s just a matter of maturity and growth from the standpoint of understanding that with that type of power, you’ve got to bring it every single night.”

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Through seven games, Cardoso is averaging 13.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 51.6% from the field.

Expectations are high for the third-year center after the Sky traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in the offseason.

Marsh made clear Cardoso is not the reason for the team’s three-game slide.

“But we don’t want her walking away feeling like she is the reason for this three-game streak,” he said. “And I think that if you read some of the stuff that’s out there, if you see some of the stuff that’s out there, if you hear some of the stuff that’s out there, you would think that is the case. And that is not the case.”

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Marsh praised Cardoso’s work ethic and vowed the team would keep pushing to turn things around.

“We love Camilla. She puts in the work every single day,” he said. “She puts in the time with her teammates. She puts in the time with her coaching staff. And she’s not going anywhere.”

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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the WNBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.