This weekend was a tough one for the Chicago Sky.
Franchise icon and starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot was in excruciating pain after injuring her knee during the team’s 79-52 loss on Saturday.
On Sunday, the team confirmed that she had torn her ACL, meaning she would be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
The game was expected to be a spectacle, especially with Kate Clark’s team visiting the United Center, home of the Bulls.
Unfortunately, the injury cast a shadow over what should have been an exhilarating matchup, and Clark has also been dealing with her injuries.
This season has been challenging for the Sky, as they sit with a 2-5 record, struggling to find their footing.
Now, Chicago has to adjust without their key playmaker, who averaged 10.6 points and 5.3 assists this season.
“She is our engine. She is our captain and our leader,” Sky coach Tyler Marsh commented after the injury. “It’s a significant setback… we all need to support her and each other.”
Vandersloot, a seasoned 15-year WNBA veteran, spent her first 12 years with the Sky before a brief stint with the New York Liberty. She then made her return to Chicago.
The 36-year-old holds impressive franchise records, including appearances in 364 games and accumulating 3,743 points, 2,424 assists, and 468 steals.
With five All-Star selections and five All-WNBA honors, she helped clinch the championship in 2021 for the Sky and was part of the Liberty’s success last season.
The Sky is currently rebuilding, with 28-year-old Ariel Atkins, along with younger players like Angel Reese and Camila Cardoso, taking on leadership roles.
In Vandersloot’s absence, 2025 draft pick Hailey Van Lith stepped up as the starting point guard later in Saturday’s game, stepping into a critical role.
