Monday, June 23, 2025

Courtney Vandersloot Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury

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Introduction to the Injury

Sky point guard Courtney Vandersloot, the ‘‘engine’’ of the team this season and a franchise icon, will miss the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

The Impact of the Injury

It’s a brutal blow for the Sky and for Vandersloot, who will have a tough road ahead coming back from that injury at 36. Vandersloot went down five minutes into the Sky’s 79-52 loss Saturday to the Fever at the United Center on a drive to the basket. It appeared to be a non-contact injury, as her right knee gave out and she hit the floor. Two staff members carried Vandersloot off the court to the locker room.

Team’s Response to the Injury

The Sky were in disarray offensively after she left and finished with their lowest point total since 2011. Coach Tyler Marsh called it ‘‘a huge blow’’ to lose someone who was ‘‘our engine, our captain, our leader’’ and now must settle his team before a game Tuesday against the defending WNBA champion Liberty in New York. ‘‘We’ve all got to step up and be better, and it starts with me,’’ Marsh said. ‘‘I’ve got to be better for our players.’’

Adjusting the Lineup

He likely will turn to rookie Hailey Van Lith, the No. 11 overall pick in the draft in April, to start in Vandersloot’s place. The Sky had planned to develop Van Lith off the bench, but that plan now has gone out the window. Vandersloot was averaging a team-high 31 minutes before the injury. She was third on the Sky in scoring at 10.6 points a game and first in assists at 5.3. The injury ended her return to the Sky — she played the last two seasons for the Liberty — after only seven games.

Vandersloot’s Career and Legacy

Vandersloot is the most distinguished player in Sky history and a future Hall of Famer, regardless of the injury. The team drafted her No. 3 overall in 2011, and she has played 13 of her 15 seasons for them. She is a five-time All-Star and a two-time WNBA champion and has led the league in assists seven times. She recently set the franchise scoring record at 3,745 points and also is the Sky’s all-time leader with 10,336 minutes played, 2,423 assists and 468 steals.

Teammates’ Reaction

‘‘It’s heartbreaking . . . especially one of your teammates and someone that means as much as Sloot does to our team and this organization,’’ Van Lith said. ‘‘Whatever is in store for the future for this team, I trust that we will find a way to make this moment mean something in the end. . . . Hopefully we can use this to change the path.’’ After the Sky sputtered offensively in Vandersloot’s absence Saturday, including shooting 32.1% from the field as they struggled to get quality shots, wing player Rebecca Allen lamented the timing of the injury. The Sky started 0-4, then won two consecutive games and seemed to have some momentum offensively.

Road to Recovery

‘‘We’ve been really finding our identity . . . and when one of your key pieces goes down so early in a game, it’s hard to adjust and regroup on the go,’’ Allen said. Once Vandersloot has surgery, it’ll be a huge challenge for her to get back on the court next season. She said last month she had no intention of retiring soon and told the Sun-Times: ‘‘My mentality is, as long as I can play at a really high level and compete and help my team, I’ll do this as long as I can.’’ Vandersloot has been the epitome of determination and toughness, establishing herself as one of the ultimate leaders of her era in Chicago sports. She is respected throughout the WNBA and beyond. And now she faces perhaps the most difficult test of her career.

Conclusion

The loss of Courtney Vandersloot to a torn ACL is a significant blow to the Sky, both in terms of her on-court contributions and her leadership. As the team adjusts to playing without her, they will look to younger players like Hailey Van Lith to step up and fill the void. Vandersloot’s road to recovery will be long and challenging, but her determination and toughness make her a role model for her teammates and fans alike.

FAQs

  • Q: What is the nature of Courtney Vandersloot’s injury?
    A: Courtney Vandersloot has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.
  • Q: How long will Vandersloot be out?
    A: Vandersloot will miss the rest of the season.
  • Q: Who is expected to replace Vandersloot in the lineup?
    A: Rookie Hailey Van Lith is likely to start in Vandersloot’s place.
  • Q: What are Vandersloot’s career achievements?
    A: Vandersloot is a five-time All-Star, two-time WNBA champion, and has led the league in assists seven times. She holds several franchise records for the Sky.
  • Q: What are the challenges Vandersloot will face in her recovery?
    A: Vandersloot will face a huge challenge in getting back on the court next season, especially considering her age and the severity of the injury.
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