Courtney Vandersloot’s injury is a gut punch not just for the Liberty, but also for her former team, the Sky
She was a symbol of stability, excellence, and leadership. Without her, the Sky must now navigate uncharted territory — emotionally and tactically.
But with strong voices like Tyler Marsh in the locker room, and a group of talented, motivated players ready to step up, Chicago has a chance to turn adversity into growth.
Whether Vandersloot returns sooner or later, her influence remains. Her legacy isn’t just a chapter in the Sky’s history — it’s the backbone of who they hope to become once again.
Saturday night’s contest delivered everything from elite performances to heartache. While the Indiana Fever celebrated a dominant win and showcased their potential, the Chicago Sky were left grappling with the emotional and strategic blow of losing one of their most valuable players.
Vandersloot’s injury served as a stark reminder of the fragility of professional sports. In an instant, the course of a season—or even a career—can shift. The Sky must now regroup, dig deep, and discover a new identity while hoping for the best news on their veteran leader.
For Indiana, the path forward looks brighter by the game. With a balanced scoring attack, stifling defense, and the continued evolution of Caitlin Clark, the Fever appear to be building something real. And in the wake of Saturday night’s storm, that optimism might be the brightest spot in the WNBA right now.
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Table of Contents
Courtney Vandersloot’s Impact on the Sky
Before the injury, Vandersloot had been a vital piece of Chicago’s game plan.1
Averaging 10.6 points and 5.3 assists per game, the 35-year-old guard had brought both skill and veteran poise to a relatively young Sky roster.
Her ability to orchestrate plays, control the pace, and provide on-court leadership has made her one of the most respected guards in the league.
Vandersloot’s loss was evident immediately. Without her guidance, Chicago’s offense stagnated. Possessions became disjointed, and the team struggled to generate open looks or capitalize on fast breaks.
Sky’s Offense Crumbles in Her Absence
Chicago’s performance on Saturday night was one of the worst in franchise history. The team failed to get a single player into double-digit scoring. Kamilla Cardoso and Rebecca Allen led with just eight points each—a glaring sign of the offensive drought.
The 52-point total tied for the fifth-lowest scoring output in Chicago Sky history for a regular-season game.
It also marked the franchise’s lowest scoring effort since September 19, 2023, when they managed only 54 points against the Connecticut Sun. The Sky’s all-time record for fewest points in a game remains 48, set in 2006 against the Detroit Shock.
This dismal performance wasn’t just about missed shots—it reflected a team reeling from the emotional and tactical loss of its leader. Without Vandersloot’s direction, the Sky committed 18 turnovers and shot just 33% from the field.
Courtney Vandersloot: Indiana Fever Continue to Find Their Rhythm
While much of the spotlight was on the Sky’s struggles, Indiana deserves credit for a focused and dominant performance.2
The Fever outscored Chicago by 62 points across two meetings this season, a testament to their growing chemistry and defensive intensity.
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 17 points, showing her scoring versatility with pull-up jumpers, corner threes, and aggressive drives.
Natasha Howard added 13 points, while All-Star Aliyah Boston contributed 11 in the paint. Aari McDonald added a spark off the bench with 12 points, helping maintain Indiana’s momentum through all four quarters.
I am excited to share that I’ll be participating in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour on May 5th, riding alongside the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Team. Last year, your support helped us surpass our fundraising goal, backing this vital cause that’s deeply impacted me and my fam pic.twitter.com/DAPygVgpDb
— Courtney Vandersloot (@Sloot22) April 19, 2024
Caitlin Clark’s Performance and Candace Parker’s Critique
Though Caitlin Clark didn’t have a breakout scoring night, her presence as a floor general continues to develop. Clark finished with a modest stat line, focusing more on distributing the ball and orchestrating offensive sets.
WNBA legend Candace Parker, however, pointed out an area for improvement in Clark’s game.
“She’s already an elite shooter and has the vision,” Parker said. “But for her to elevate her game, she needs to master the pick-and-roll. Reading defenses, especially off screens, that’s the next step.”
Clark’s learning curve is steep, but it’s clear she is embracing the process of becoming a professional-level point guard.
Her decision-making and timing continue to improve with each game, and she remains a central piece of the Fever’s long-term success.
Courtney Vandersloot: Defense Wins the Day for Indiana
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Indiana’s performance was their defense.3
The Fever forced the Sky into low-percentage shots, clogged the paint, and swarmed ball handlers. With Vandersloot out, Indiana took full advantage, disrupting passing lanes and collapsing on drives to the rim.
The Fever also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Sky by a significant margin. Aliyah Boston and Howard anchored the paint, limiting second-chance opportunities and altering shots with their size and positioning.
Historical Perspective: Sky’s Offensive Struggles
Scoring just 52 points in a modern WNBA game is rare—and alarming. This marked just the fifth time in franchise history that the Sky failed to score more than 55 points in a game.
It’s the type of outing that calls for immediate internal evaluation, especially considering the team’s aspirations to compete in the postseason.
Here’s a quick look at the five lowest-scoring games in Sky history:
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48 points vs. Detroit Shock (2006)
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50 points vs. Connecticut Sun (2007)
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52 points vs. Indiana Fever (2024)
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52 points vs. Phoenix Mercury (2018)
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54 points vs. Connecticut Sun (2023)
That two of the five lowest marks came within the last two seasons raises questions about the Sky’s offensive depth and long-term planning.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For Indiana, this win is another step in what has been a promising stretch. The team is showing better cohesion, solid defense, and emerging leadership from its young core.
If they can maintain consistency, the Fever could play spoiler—or even sneak into playoff contention later in the season.
For Chicago, all eyes now turn to the medical status of Courtney Vandersloot. If she’s sidelined for an extended period, the Sky will need to reconfigure their entire offense.
Players like Dana Evans, Marina Mabrey, and Chennedy Carter may be asked to take on larger roles, but replicating Vandersloot’s vision and experience will be nearly impossible.
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Courtney Vandersloot’s Injury Sends Shockwaves Through the Sky Locker Room
When Courtney Vandersloot went down with an injury, the Chicago Sky knew immediately that things had changed.
No matter how seasoned a team may be, losing a player like Vandersloot — one of the WNBA’s premier point guards and a former Sky champion — alters the very foundation of a roster.
“She’s our engine,” assistant coach Tyler Marsh said to ESPN. “She’s our captain and our leader out there, so obviously, it’s a huge blow.”
It’s not just Vandersloot’s basketball ability that is missing. It’s her presence. Her leadership. Her uncanny court vision. The Sky’s plans for a smooth and competitive season suddenly became clouded with uncertainty.
Marsh’s Call for Unity and Strength
While the team reels from the loss, Marsh is calling for collective resilience.
“We’re hoping she is able to bounce back,” Marsh said. “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.”
It’s a sentiment rooted in team culture. Marsh isn’t just talking about filling a role on the floor — he’s talking about morale, identity, and a shared burden.
In Vandersloot’s absence, every Sky player must step up. Whether it’s the next woman in the rotation or a bench player seeing unexpected minutes, the Sky can no longer afford passengers.
Vandersloot: A Chicago Icon
Before joining the New York Liberty in 2023, Vandersloot was synonymous with the Chicago Sky.
Drafted third overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft, she spent 12 seasons in the Windy City. Her resume includes multiple All-Star appearances, all-time franchise records in assists and steals, and most notably, the 2021 WNBA Championship — the first in franchise history.
Her ability to orchestrate offense, set the tempo, and rally her teammates made her an irreplaceable figure in Sky history. For many fans, she was the Sky.
A New Chapter in New York
Despite her roots in Chicago, Vandersloot’s decision to join the New York Liberty marked a new era in her career.
She formed a “superteam” in Brooklyn alongside Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones. The result?
The Liberty won their first-ever WNBA championship in 2023, fulfilling long-standing expectations for a team packed with talent.
Even as a rival, Vandersloot commanded respect from Sky players, coaches, and fans alike. Her impact stretched beyond city borders.
Who Can Step Up in Courtney Vandersloot’s Absence?
Marina Mabrey, known for her scoring flair, must now take on more of the orchestration responsibilities.
Dana Evans has shown flashes of brilliance, and this might be her best shot to prove she can lead an offense consistently.
Meanwhile, players like Courtney Williams and Chennedy Carter might need to become more vocal, more assertive — both on and off the court.
The absence of a leader often creates a vacuum. Whether that vacuum is filled with chaos or opportunity depends on how quickly players respond.
The Psychological Impact on the Sky
Injuries often present dual challenges: physical adjustments and emotional recovery.
The Sky’s veterans — who played alongside Vandersloot for years — are likely struggling to process the news. Her importance as a teammate, friend, and motivator cannot be understated.
For younger players, the injury might be a harsh lesson in the realities of professional basketball.
Tyler Marsh’s insistence on lifting each other up reflects the team’s attempt to avoid a spiral. Emotionally resilient teams are the ones that survive mid-season storms like this.
Courtney Vandersloot: New Born
Courtney Vandersloot and her wife Allie Quigley welcomed their first baby Jana Christine together and posted their baby girl’s picture online.
View this post on Instagram
Liberty’s Hopes Hang in the Balance
Although the focus has naturally shifted toward how the Sky will respond, the Liberty now find themselves on shaky ground.
Their offense depends heavily on spacing and court vision — two areas where Vandersloot excels. Without her, Ionescu and Stewart may find themselves with added pressure to playmake.
The Liberty must now explore alternative rotations, perhaps giving more playmaking responsibility to Ionescu, while increasing bench production to make up for lost assists and tempo control.
The WNBA’s Response to a Major Star’s Injury
- Injuries to stars like Vandersloot always raise questions about the league’s structure, schedule intensity, and player health protocols.
- Should the WNBA expand rosters? Should there be more rest periods between games?
- While these questions persist, the short-term focus remains on her recovery and how teams — especially the Sky and Liberty — adapt to her absence.
- Despite the injury setback, Vandersloot’s legacy remains firmly intact.
- She is a WNBA icon. A leader. A champion.
- Her toughness and competitive spirit are unquestioned, and they’re precisely why Tyler Marsh and others believe she’ll bounce back stronger.
- Until then, her impact continues through the lessons she’s taught and the culture she helped build in Chicago — one of accountability, unity, and winning.
- In a season filled with high hopes and lingering uncertainty, the Sky must now lean into a “next woman up” mentality.
- Their success from here on depends not on replicating Vandersloot, but on rediscovering their identity as a unit.
- Can they build chemistry quickly? Can someone unexpected become a vocal floor leader?
- Those questions may define their season more than any stat sheet.
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