Sky’s Season Takes Another Hit After Devastating Loss to Liberty
The Chicago Sky’s already challenging season took another devastating turn following their crushing 85–66 defeat against the New York Liberty at the iconic Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This disappointing performance dropped the struggling franchise to a concerning 2–6 record, highlighting the mounting difficulties they face without their veteran leadership on the court. The team’s struggles have been compounded by the season-ending injury to two-time WNBA champion Courtney Vandersloot, who suffered a torn ACL during the first quarter of their previous 79–52 blowout loss against the Indiana Fever.
Angel Reese Breaks Silence on Vandersloot’s Devastating Injury
In the emotional aftermath of losing their veteran point guard, All-Star rookie sensation Angel Reese finally addressed the significant impact of Vandersloot’s absence from the lineup during a candid interview session. “It’s super unfortunate what happened to Courtney because she works incredibly hard every single day and was truly a great leader for our entire organization,” Reese explained with genuine emotion in her voice. The rookie forward continued her heartfelt tribute by emphasizing Vandersloot’s sacrifice and commitment to the franchise, stating, “She’s accomplished so much for our game throughout her career and made the difficult decision to leave a championship team to come to Chicago and continue building her legacy here with us.”
Vandersloot’s Illustrious Career and Championship Legacy
Throughout her distinguished professional basketball career, Courtney Vandersloot established herself as one of the most impactful point guards in WNBA history from the very beginning of her tenure. The Chicago Sky recognized her exceptional talent early, selecting her as the third overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, where she immediately secured the starting point guard position and never looked back. Her rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, as she earned both All-Star recognition and a coveted spot on the prestigious All-Rookie Team, setting the foundation for what would become a legendary career.
Vandersloot’s leadership abilities shone brightest during crucial moments, particularly in 2014 when she helped guide the Sky to their first-ever WNBA Finals appearance in franchise history. Although they ultimately fell short against Diana Taurasi and the powerhouse Phoenix Mercury, this experience proved invaluable for the young point guard’s development. Her defining moment arrived in 2021 when she masterfully orchestrated Chicago’s historic run to their first WNBA championship title, ironically defeating the same Phoenix Mercury team that had denied them seven years earlier.
Record-Breaking Achievements and Statistical Dominance
Over the course of her remarkable professional career spanning more than a decade, Courtney Vandersloot has consistently demonstrated why she deserves recognition among the league’s elite point guards. Her impressive resume includes five All-Star selections during the years 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, showcasing her sustained excellence throughout different phases of her career. Perhaps most remarkably, she has led the entire WNBA in assists an unprecedented seven times, demonstrating her unparalleled court vision and playmaking abilities that have become her trademark.
In 2020, Vandersloot achieved what many considered impossible by setting a new league record with an astounding 10.0 assists per game average throughout the entire season. Her statistical dominance extends beyond single-season achievements, as she currently holds multiple WNBA records including career assists per game and total playoff assists, cementing her status as one of the greatest facilitators in women’s basketball history.
Chicago’s Championship Detour and Triumphant Return
Following her decade-long tenure with the Chicago Sky, Vandersloot made the difficult decision to sign with the New York Liberty, seeking new challenges and opportunities to expand her championship resume. Her gamble paid off spectacularly in 2024 when she helped guide the Liberty to their long-awaited championship victory in a thrilling overtime battle against the formidable Minnesota Lynx. However, her heart remained in Chicago, prompting her return to the Sky the following season, where she brought back invaluable championship experience and the leadership qualities that had made her so indispensable to the organization.
Sky’s Ongoing Struggles and Mounting Pressure
The current season has proven to be exceptionally challenging for the Chicago Sky, as they have consistently struggled to establish any meaningful rhythm or momentum throughout their campaign. Their difficulties became apparent immediately, as they dropped four of their first five games in devastating fashion, suffering particularly painful blowout defeats including a 93–58 massacre against Indiana, a 99–74 demolition by New York, and a demoralizing 91–78 loss to Los Angeles. Their lone competitive showing during this stretch came in a heartbreaking 94–89 defeat to Phoenix, where they showed glimpses of their potential but ultimately came up short when it mattered most.
The team briefly found hope with consecutive victories over the Dallas Wings, providing a temporary boost to morale and suggesting they might be turning the corner. However, their optimism was quickly dashed by back-to-back devastating losses to the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty, which sent them spiraling back down the standings and raised serious questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
