Basketball rarely comes without contact, and Angel Reese brought that edge immediately to the 2025 WNBA season. Fighting Caitlin Clark for an offensive rebound, Reese absorbed a hard slap that sent her to the floor and sparked a heated exchange. Clark drew a flagrant 1 while Reese received a technical. Now, that same physical intensity has followed her Chicago Sky teammate Kamilla Cardoso, this time in China.

While playing for the reigning league champions, Guangdong Vermilion Birds, against Xinjiang Magic Deer on December 22, Cardoso was under the basket, trying to score. However, she was not in the optimal position for scoring, so Cardoso tried to bully her defender away from the basket to get an easy layup.

In that physical play, Cardoso had her jersey pulled away, and she fell on the ground while missing the shot. The center was furious as she immediately got up and pushed the Xinjiang player. She was going for more, but multiple teammates restricted Cardoso, and the referee intervened to calm the situation.

As the situation settled down, Cardoso was immediately expelled. After the game, the WCBA announced a $700 fine and one-game suspension for Cardoso. While the clips circulating do not capture what may have led up to the moment, the WCBA ultimately ruled that her reaction crossed the threshold set by its disciplinary code. That punishment is being deemed too brutal by fans online as they protest against the WCBA decision. 

Supporters Rally Against Announced Punishment For Kamilla Cardoso

“A suspension is so OD. The ejection and fine were more than enough,” opined a fan. To be fair, the announced punishment is in line with the WCBA rules, which mirror the FIBA rulebook.

Punching, attempted swings/elbows above shoulders, or fighting fouls result in immediate disqualification and a minimum 1 game ban, depending on severity, along with a fine. Technically, Cardoso’s attempted punch qualifies under this criterion. 

Even Olivia Nelson-Ododa was suspended one game for engaging in an on-court altercation during Guangdong’s 85-56 victory over Xinjiang last year. However, the damage was very little as the Xinjiang player did not endure a heavy punch, which is why fans feel the punishment is unfair.

“Fined and suspended for that??? They would give Draymond the death penalty,” another comment read. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors is notoriously popular for getting into scuffles and fights on the court. This season, Green even had some words with a fan sitting on the sidelines who called him Angel Reese of the NBA.

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“Damn, they’re softer than America over there smh. Weak fine over a shove?” asked a fan. The punishment is in contrast to a similar incident in the WNBA. Sophie Cunningham fouled Jacy Sheldon in that infamous Connecticut-Indiana game, leading to a brawl and multiple ejections. That was clearly a more serious and physical fight than this one.

However, the WNBA only fined Cunningham and Mabrey and did not suspend them. While the WNBA is known for handing out fines like it’s candy, suspension is normally reserved for the most serious clashes. Some fans justified Cardoso’s behavior, citing past physical play on her during the game and the seriousness of the initial action on the center. 

“Nearly twisted her ankle in the fall. Can understand the anger,” commented a fan. As the premier paint protector, Cardoso often bears the brunt of the physicality. Not everything is called, which leads to built-up frustration. Earlier in the game, Cardoso was seen protesting for a physical play against her, but the referees seemed to ignore it. “She’s so nice, you can only take so much,” wrote another sympathetic fan. 

During the 2024 SEC Championship Game, Cardoso was one of six players ejected after a bench-clearing altercation against LSU.

MiLaysia Fulwiley had stolen the ball from Flau’jae Johnson, who was called for an intentional foul. Johnson then bumped Ashlyn Watkins while heading toward the bench, prompting Cardoso to shove 5-10 Johnson to the floor. Under NCAA rules, that ejection resulted in Cardoso being suspended for South Carolina’s opening game of the NCAA Tournament.

While the only other such incident, whether in college or overseas, Cardoso will need to rein in her emotions regardless of circumstance.