Courtney Vandersloot’s Knee Injury Shocks Chicago Sky Fans
It was supposed to be a celebration — a marquee matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever, a high-energy clash with playoff vibes and a spotlight on women's basketball in one of the league’s most iconic venues, the United Center. But all of that excitement took a devastating turn just minutes into the game.
Courtney Vandersloot, the heart and soul of the Chicago Sky, suffered a scary knee injury in the first quarter that left fans stunned and the team scrambling. As a longtime veteran and franchise legend, her return to Chicago this season was meant to be a triumphant homecoming. Instead, we witnessed what might be a season-altering moment — not just for the Sky, but for the WNBA.
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It happened so fast. Just 5:29 into the game, Vandersloot drove hard toward the basket and collided with Fever guard Aari McDonald. She took the contact, but when she landed, her knee buckled awkwardly. The arena fell silent as she immediately grabbed her right knee in visible pain. Moments later, she was carried off the court — unable to put any weight on that leg — and officially ruled out before the first quarter even ended.
This wasn’t just another injury. This was Courtney Vandersloot — the floor general, the all-time franchise scoring leader, and one of the best pure point guards the league has ever seen. Her presence this season had reinvigorated the Sky’s offense, helping them push past the 90-point mark in multiple games. With her off the court, all eyes will now be on rookie Hailey Van Lith, who has big shoes to fill if Vandersloot’s recovery takes significant time.
This game was already short on star power due to Caitlin Clark's absence, but losing Vandersloot made the atmosphere feel even more deflated, despite the large crowd. Saturday was meant to be a statement — a celebration of women’s basketball on one of its biggest stages — but it turned into a night of worry, concern, and uncertainty.
Now, Chicago holds its breath. No official word has come on the severity of the injury yet, but whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the Sky will have to regroup, both emotionally and tactically. Vandersloot’s leadership, vision, and experience can’t be easily replaced.
We can only hope that what looked like a worst-case scenario turns out to be something far less serious. Until then, the Sky — and the entire WNBA community — waits anxiously.
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