The Chicago Sky suffered a big loss to the Indiana Fever at home in the United Center Saturday night, and also saw team leader Courtney Vandersloot go down with what might turn out to be a major knee injury. The veteran point guard hit the floor during the first quarter of the match, and the Sky was unable to muster any consistent offensive energy for the rest of the game.
Coach Tyler Marsh did not offer an update about Vandersloot after the game, and no further comment has been shared on social media. Vandersloot was driving to the basket with just over five minutes left in the quarter when she crashed to the floor. She was eventually helped up by teammates, but needed assistance when attempting to exit the game.
"She's our engine," Marsh said after the game. "She's our captain and our leader out there, so obviously, it's a huge blow. But hopefully, it's not as serious as we may think. We're hoping she is able to bounce back, but for the time being, we all got to pick her up. We all got to lift her up; we all got to lift each other up."
Courtney Vandersloot is the heart of the Chicago Sky
The Sky headed into the 2025 season in need of a strong veteran presence on the court, and bringing Vandersloot back home to the city and team she was drafted to in 2011 felt like the right match.
Though the team has struggled this season, Vandersloot has stepped up to the plate to provide the guidance at the young Sky roster needs. It's not entirely clear who her replacement will be if she's out of the game for days or weeks to come, though rookie Hailey Van Lith stepped up during Saturday's game.
After the game Van Lith touched on Vandersloot's importance to the team, and also on the uncertain future they might face without her. "Whatever is in store in the future for this team, I trust that we will find a way to make this moment mean something in the end. We're very concerned, and our hearts go out to Sloot," she said.
Vandersloot is in her 15th season in the WNBA, and a serious injury could end up being a career-ender. She spent her first 12 years in the league with the Sky before she was traded to the Liberty, where she helped the team win a championship last year. Her absence was notable on the court, and the team scored 15 or fewer points each quarter throughout the rest of the game.
The Sky will next face the Liberty on June 10 at the Barclays Center, a match that was meant to be a dynamic showing between Vandersloot and her former squad.