The Chicago Sky’s debut game at the United Center took a heartbreaking turn on Saturday when point guard and franchise legend Courtney Vandersloot suffered a knee injury just minutes into the team’s 79-52 loss to the Indiana Fever.
Vandersloot’s Injury and Immediate Impact
An MRI revealed that Vandersloot had torn her ACL, forcing her to miss the rest of the 2025 WNBA season, the team announced on Sunday. The loss of Vandersloot, who had been a key player for the Sky, is a devastating blow not just for the team, but for the entire organization.
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh shared his thoughts on the situation after the game, emphasizing the importance of Vandersloot to the team. “She’s our engine, she’s our captain and our leader out there,” Marsh said. “Obviously it’s a huge blow. Hopefully, it’s not as serious as we may think. We’re hoping that she’s able to bounce back. For the time being, we all gotta pick her up, we all gotta lift her up, we all gotta lift each other up.”
The Moment of the Injury
Vandersloot’s injury occurred less than five minutes into the game. As she drove to the basket, she suddenly collapsed to the floor, clutching her right knee. She remained on the ground for a brief period while her teammates and medical staff attended to her. Eventually, Vandersloot was helped off the court and taken to the locker room, where it was confirmed she would not return to the game.
Respect Across the League
Despite the unfortunate nature of the incident, acting Fever coach Austin Kelly expressed his respect for Vandersloot. “I don’t know the extent of it, but we’re definitely thinking about her,” Kelly said. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve had some battles when we were in Connecticut and she was in New York. I have such a huge amount of respect [for Vandersloot] and I’m sure the players in our locker room do as well. We never want to see that.”
Vandersloot’s Impact and Legacy with the Sky
Courtney Vandersloot, drafted by the Sky with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, spent the first 12 seasons of her career with Chicago. She made four All-Star appearances and five All-WNBA teams, including helping lead the Sky to their first-ever championship in 2021.
After her time with the Sky, Vandersloot signed with the New York Liberty in free agency in 2023, where she helped the team reach back-to-back Finals and win their first-ever title in 2024. However, she was removed from the starting lineup during the 2024 playoffs and did not regain her starting spot this season. Rather than remaining in a backup role in New York, Vandersloot returned to Chicago this winter, rejoining the Sky as their starting point guard.
A Tough Blow for the Rebuilding Sky
Vandersloot’s injury comes at a tough time for the rebuilding Sky. With young players like Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese developing, her leadership and playmaking ability were invaluable. Hailey Van Lith, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, took Vandersloot’s place in the starting lineup during the second half of Saturday’s game and is expected to assume the starting point guard role for the rest of the season.
Vandersloot’s Sky Career Statistics
Vandersloot’s contributions to the Sky are unmatched. She is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (364), points (3,743), assists (2,424), and steals (468). Her legacy with the team is cemented, and while her injury is a major setback for the Sky, the team will look to continue to build on the foundation she helped establish.
