This was supposed to be the showdown—Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese, the clash WNBA fans had circled in red. But instead? Total letdown. Clark sat out with an injury, Reese had a rough night, and Chicago? They didn’t just lose—they made the kind of history no team wants. And just when things couldn’t get worse… came a brutal update that might be the final nail in the Sky’s spiraling season.
The Chicago Sky hit a new low on Saturday night—literally. In a tough 79-52 loss to the shorthanded Indiana Fever, Chicago dropped to 2-5 on the season and slipped to fifth in the East. But the real headline? That 52-point total wasn’t just a season low—it was their fewest points scored in a game since 2011. Not a single Sky player reached double digits, and even 2024 All-Star Angel Reese struggled, finishing with just four points on 2-for-7 shooting, despite grabbing 12 rebounds and adding two assists.
And yet, the scoreboard wasn’t even the worst part. Just minutes into the game, veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot—nicknamed “The General” for a reason—went down clutching her right knee on a drive. The 15-year vet cried out in pain and had to be carried off the floor. The Sky ruled her out for the rest of the game almost immediately, and on Sunday, the news got worse: a torn ACL. She’s out for the season, and Chicago now has to move forward without their leader.
News: Courtney Vandersloot has torn her right ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season, the Chicago Sky have announced. Heartbreaking development after Sloot rejoined the franchise she played the majority of her WNBA career with
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) June 8, 2025
Vandersloot isn’t just any player. She’s the heartbeat of the Sky—plain and simple. After spending 12 seasons in Chicago and helping the team win a title in 2021, she left for two years to chase another championship with the New York Liberty. But this season, she returned home. The franchise welcomed her back, and fans embraced the reunion. Earlier this year, she became the Sky’s all-time leading scorer, passing her wife and former teammate Allie Quigley. It was a full-circle moment—one that showed how deep her roots run in Chicago.
And her impact goes far beyond just stats, though those alone tell a story. Drafted third overall in 2011, Vandersloot quickly earned the nickname “The General” for her leadership and command on the court. She brings poise, direction, and an unshakable focus to a young team that’s still trying to find its footing. With rising stars like Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Hailey Van Lith adjusting to the league, Vandersloot has been the stabilizing force—especially under a new coach, after a tough 13-win season last year.
Now, with her sidelined, the challenge becomes even steeper. “It’s a moment where everyone needs to step up, especially with someone like Sloot going out,” said veteran Rebecca Allen. “We want every individual to step up and do more and give more. And I felt today we didn’t do that for her, we didn’t do that for each other. So there’s an element of disappointment.”
That’s the kind of respect Vandersloot commands—not just for her talent, but for who she is to this team. So when she went down and Reese was lagging too, the game felt like a gut punch.
Angel Reese’s struggles highlight Chicago Sky’s offensive woes
The Chicago Sky’s big night at the United Center, the first-ever WNBA game in that iconic arena, was supposed to be a moment to remember. But instead, it turned into a total disaster—a flat 79-52 loss to the Indiana Fever. The offense as a whole was a mess: no player scored in double digits, they shot a disappointing 32.7% from the field, and only hit 3 of 15 from three-point range. It was a collapse from every angle.
Coach Tyler Marsh wasn’t pointing fingers at Reese, though. “I don’t think Angel struggled tonight, I think we struggled as a team,” he said. “It’s not about Angel being better for us, it’s us being better for Angel.” The numbers tell a tough story, with Reese’s scoring down to 9.1 points per game on just 30.9% shooting this season, a big drop from her rookie year’s 13.6 points and 39.1% accuracy. Even more worrying is her inside shooting—she’s making only 28.9% of her shots from within three feet, which means defenders don’t even respect her outside the paint anymore. As strong as she is on the boards, her offensive game feels stuck, and with Courtney Vandersloot sidelined, the Sky’s offense has lost its rhythm and flow.
Meanwhile, Indiana got the Sky to switch guards onto post players like Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston, which left the defense scrambling and opened up shooters like Kelsey Mitchell and Aari McDonald to knock down shots. For Reese, this loss was more than just a scoreboard setback—it was an emotional test. “Losing sucks and it can really take a toll on you,” she said. “We just come to practice every day and they just kept us going and kept us patient. Especially young players like me, we aren’t used to losing like that.” Analysts agree Reese’s next step has to be refining her finishing skills and adding more offensive versatility.
Right now, teams clog the paint because she’s not a threat from outside, and her low shooting percentage near the basket makes it even tougher. Her rebounding keeps her in games, but those second-chance putbacks have been missing. With the Sky struggling to find shooting and spacing, Reese’s development is critical. The tools are there—it’s all about sharpening them as the season moves on, and the pressure is on her to lead the way forward.
The post Chicago Sky News: Heartbreaking Update Emerges Around Courtney Vandersloot’s Injury as Angel Reese & Co. Hits 14-Year Low appeared first on EssentiallySports.
