The Chicago Sky will be without Courtney Vandersloot for the remainder of the current campaign, as she sustained a torn ACL during Saturday’s contest against the Indiana Fever, the team communicated on Sunday.
The athlete, aged 36, suffered the injury while attempting a drive to the basket with 5 minutes and 29 seconds remaining in the initial quarter. A subsequent MRI revealed a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. She is slated to miss the balance of the 2025 WNBA season and is anticipated to undergo a surgical procedure for its repair.
The Sky ultimately succumbed to a 79-52 defeat against the Fever in their home arena. Vandersloot accumulated two points prior to her departure from the game.
In the wake of the injury, Sky’s leading coach, Tyler Marsh, offered commendation for the seasoned team leader, underscoring her command and influence on the team before the total extent of the injury became fully apparent.
“She serves as our driving force,” Marsh articulated to the press after the match. “She embodies the roles of both captain and leader on the court, so naturally, her absence deals a significant blow. Nevertheless, we remain hopeful that the situation isn’t as dire as initial perceptions suggest. We are optimistic about her potential for a swift recovery, but for now, it’s imperative that we collectively support her. We must all rally around her; we must all uplift one another.”
In conjunction with Marsh, emerging talent Hailey Van Lith—who participated for a season-high duration of 26 minutes and contributed eight points, two rebounds, and one steal—also addressed Vandersloot’s significance and the sense of profound sorrow permeating the locker room following the game.
“It’s disheartening to witness any player sustain an injury, especially when it involves a teammate and someone who holds such immense importance as Sloot does to our team and this organization,” Van Lith conveyed to reporters. “Currently, we are channeling considerable energy towards her, offering our prayers. Irrespective of what the future holds for this team, I am confident that we will discover a means to imbue this moment with meaning in the end. We are deeply concerned, and our thoughts are with Sloot.”
Throughout a career spanning over 15 WNBA seasons, Vandersloot has dedicated 13 years to the Sky, interspersed with a two-year tenure with the New York Liberty in 2023 and 2024 before her return to Chicago.
Across seven games in the current season, her performance averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.6 steals.
