What happened: Cardoso entered 2026 ranked 12th with 595 rebounds. She has moved up seven positions during the current regular season.
Why it matters: Reaching the top five in her third WNBA season compresses a long-term franchise achievement into a short career window.
By the numbers: Cardoso began 228 rebounds behind the preseason fifth-place total of 823.
What to watch: Fourth place is the next threshold as the 2026 regular season continues.