Chicago Sky Coach Assigns Blame After Loss to Indiana Fever
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Chicago Sky Make Unfortunate Announcement After Loss to Indiana Fever
Chicago Sky Make Unfortunate Announcement After Loss to Indiana Fever. Chicago lost point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a right knee injury in the first quarter. The two-time WNBA champion did not return. The Sky announced on social media that an MRI confirmed Vanderloot suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season and undergo surgery to repair the injury. The Fever blew out the Sky 79-52, this time winning their second game of the 2025 WNBA season. The game was the Sky’s second of the year; the Fever won their first game on June 7, 25 years ago, by the same score.
The Chicago Sky faced the Indiana Fever on Saturday in their second matchup of the 2025 WNBA season. Despite missing Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, the Fever blew out the Sky once again, this time winning 79-52.
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In the first quarter, Chicago lost point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a right knee injury. The two-time WNBA champion did not return.
On Sunday, the Sky announced on social media that an MRI confirmed Vandersloot suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
“Courtney Vandersloot underwent an MRI yesterday that revealed a right torn anterior crucial ligament (ACL), an injury she sustained in the June 7th game against Indiana,” the Sky posted. “Vandersloot will miss the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season and undergo surgery to repair the injury. All of Skytown is behind you Sloot!”
After the game, Sky head coach Tyler Marsh called it a “huge blow.”
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“She’s our engine,” Marsh said. “She’s our captain and our leader out there, so obviously, it’s a huge blow.”
Vandersloot, 36, signed with Chicago as a free agent this offseason, returning from the New York Liberty on a one-year deal. She spent the first 12 seasons of her WNBA career with the Sky before playing two years in New York.
Vandersloot’s teammate, Hailey Van Lith, said Chicago’s “hearts go out to Sloot.”
“It’s heartbreaking to watch anybody [get hurt], but especially one of your teammates and someone that means as much as Sloot does to our team and this organization,” Van Lith said.
“Right now, we’re giving her a lot of energy, praying for her. Whatever is in store in the future for this team, I trust that we will find a way to make this moment mean something in the end. We’re very concerned, and our hearts go out to Sloot.”
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) suffered an ACL injury in the loss to the Indiana Fever .© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Vandersloot was selected No. 3 overall by the Sky in the 2011 WNBA Draft. The 5-foot-8 guard played college basketball at Gonzaga, where she became the first Division I player to record 2,000 points and 1,000 assists.
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Vandersloot is the Sky’s all-time leader in points, assists, steals, field goals made, minutes and games played. The five-time All-Star also ranks second in WNBA history for total career assists.
Related: WNBA Reacts to Angel Reese’s Pregame Outfit for Sky-Fever
Related: Price Tag of Caitlin Clark’s Luxury Watch Before Angel Reese Game Revealed
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Angel Reese Reveals One Desire Before Indiana Fever Game
Angel Reese Reveals One Desire Before Indiana Fever Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky earned a 2-4 record through the first month of the 2025 WNBA season. The Sky will kick off their slate of Commissioner’s Cup games by hosting the 3-4 Fever on Saturday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST at the United Center, home of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. The game will be significant for the WNBA standings, as Chicago has a chance to move ahead of the Fever with a win.
The Chicago Sky earned a 2-4 record through the first month of the 2025 WNBA season, placing them in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
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A 93 to 58 loss to the Indiana Fever on opening day kickstarted a four-game losing streak to begin the season, but the Sky responded with two straight wins against the Dallas Wings last week. After giving up 90 points or more in five consecutive games to begin the year, they held on for a 94 to 83 win last Saturday.
Now, the Sky will kick off their slate of Commissioner’s Cup games by hosting the 3-4 Fever on Saturday evening.
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5).Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
2024 WNBA All-Star Angel Reese is averaging a double-double once again this season for the Sky with 10.0-point and 12.3-rebound per game averages. Her rebounds per game are leading the WNBA once again.
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The Sky’s rematch against the Fever has a bit of a twist, however. Saturday’s game will be played at the United Center, home of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. Reese spoke about playing at this historic venue just before tipoff and expressed one desire.
“I think this is gonna be the first of many,” Reese said. “We can continue to see this and have all our games at NBA arenas.”
In the first matchup between the two teams this season, 2024 First-Team All-WNBA guard Caitlin Clark recorded a 20-point triple-double for the Fever en route to a dominant victory. Reese paced the Sky with 12 points and 17 rebounds.
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Saturday’s game will be significant for the WNBA standings, as Chicago has a chance to move ahead of the Fever with a win. Moving to 3-4 would also put them into the playoff picture. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST.
Related: Angel Reese’s Two-Word Message to Shaquille O’Neal’s Caitlin Clark Request
Related: Chicago Sky Coach’s Angel Reese Comments Surface Before Indiana Fever Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hailey Van Lith Makes Promise After Loss to Indiana Fever
Hailey Van Lith Makes Promise After Loss to Indiana Fever. Chicago Sky have a 2-5 record after getting blown out again by the Fever at home 79-52 on Saturday. Chicago lost veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot to an apparent lower body injury in the first quarter of the game. The 23-year-old rookie played a career-high 26 minutes against Indiana, finishing with seven points, two rebounds, zero assists and three turnovers. She will have every opportunity to make her words count when the Sky return to action against the 8-0 New York Liberty on Tuesday.
Following a 35-point loss to the Indiana Fever in their 2025 WNBA season opener, Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh promised that the loss to the Caitlin Clark-led team would not define their season.
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Three weeks later, the Sky have a 2-5 record after getting blown out again by the Fever at home 79-52 on Saturday, even though Indiana was playing without Clark.
To make matters worse, Chicago lost veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot to an apparent lower body injury in the first quarter of the game. The shaken Sky team finished the game with just 11 assists on 18 made baskets while shooting 32.1 percent from the field.
In the postgame press conference, it was Hailey Van Lith’s turn to make a big promise to the fans.
Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sydney Colson (51).Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
“It’s heartbreaking to watch anybody, but especially one of your teammates and someone who means so much to us as Sloot does to our team and this organization,” Van Lith said of Vandersloot’s injury.
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A first-round draft pick out of TCU in 2025, Van Lith is likely to be in line for more minutes if Vandersloot remains out for an extended period of time.
The 23-year-old rookie played a career-high 26 minutes against Indiana, finishing with seven points, two rebounds, zero assists and three turnovers.
She left the disappointing game determined to make the most of the unfortunate circumstances facing her team. According to Marsh, Vandersloot was Chicago’s “engine,” averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest.
“Whatever’s in store for the future of this team, we’ll make this moment mean something in the end,” Van Lith promised.
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She added that she wants Chicago to see the gut-wrenching loss and Vandersloot’s possible absence “change the path” of the team’s season.
With more minutes looking like a reality, Van Lith will have every opportunity to make her words count when the Sky return to action against the 8-0 New York Liberty on Tuesday.
Related: Chicago Sky Coach Makes Promise After Loss to Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Related: Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Makes Public Request to Injured Fever Star
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Chicago Sky Face Major Backlash for Announcement Moments After Loss to Indiana Fever
Chicago Sky Face Major Backlash for Announcement Moments After Loss to Indiana Fever. Fans were quick to criticize the post, questioning why a “Player of the Game’ was being named after a 27-point loss in a game where there were virtually no positives. No one on the Sky roster scored in double figures, while veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot was carried off the court with a knee injury. The defeat dropped them to 2–5 on the season, while the Fever improved to 4–4 overall, with Caitlin Clark potentially returning later this week.
The Chicago Sky had a prime opportunity to redeem themselves on Saturday night from their season-opening blowout loss to the Indiana Fever, as they hosted the Fever at the United Center. Indiana was without Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and even their head coach Stephanie White, who was out for personal reasons.
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Yet, the Sky turned in one of their worst performances of the season, scoring just 52 points as a team and losing by 27. The defeat dropped them to 2–5 on the season, while the Fever improved to 4–4 overall, with Clark potentially returning later this week.
However, backlash followed moments after the game when the Sky posted their usual “Player of the Game” graphic—an honor they award to someone on the roster.
This time, they chose Rebecca Allen, who had eight points, two rebounds, and one assist. Fans were quick to criticize the post, questioning why a “Player of the Game” was being named after a 27-point loss in a game where there were virtually no positives.
“An 8pts player is your player of the game. It shows you how bad your team is. Very terrible. The first time I have seen a team play a game without a single double digit scorer,” a fan said.
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Someone else added, “Coulda just gone without player of the game this time around.”
Another fan posted, “You lost by 27 and got the nerve to have a player of the game…hahah.”
“This is one of those times that you don’t give a player of the game unless you want to give it to someone from the other team,” a fan shared.
One more fan commented, “Do you really need to announce a player of the game for a 27 point loss?”
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5)© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
No one on the Sky roster scored in double figures. Star forward Angel Reese finished with four points and 12 rebounds on 2-for-7 shooting from the field, while veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot was carried off the court with a knee injury.
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Losing Vandersloot would be a significant blow this early in the season for a Chicago team that has already faced immense struggles.
Related: Courtney Vandersloot and Wife Allie Quigley Make Major Mother’s Day Announcement
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Chicago Sky Coach Assigns Blame After Loss to Indiana Fever
Chicago Sky Coach Assigns Blame After Loss to Indiana Fever. Chicago fell to 2-5 on the season after losing to the Fever, 79-52. Head coach Tyler Marsh started her tenure with the Sky on the wrong foot, losing four straight games to start the season. The Sky will have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET against the New York Liberty. They will have another tough game against the Atlanta Dream on Friday at 7:30 p.M. ET.
The Chicago Sky continue to struggle to start the WNBA season on a high note, having suffered a blowout loss to the Indiana Fever.
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Chicago fell to 2-5 on the season after losing to the Fever, 79-52. The Sky seemingly started finding their rhythm after winning two back-to-back games against the Dallas Wings following their four straight losses.
Head coach Tyler Marsh started her tenure with the Sky on the wrong foot, losing four straight games to start the season. The Sky tied their franchise record for worst start to a season and have now lost two games to the Fever.
They opened the season with a 93-58 loss to the Indiana Fever.
After their most recent defeat, Marsh spoke with the media, where he admitted that changes need to be made and it starts with him, who’s viewed as the leader of the team.
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“We all got to step up and be better and that starts with me,” Marsh said, per Karli Bell. “I got to be better for our players.”
Tyler Marsh began his coaching career in 2012. Before serving as the head coach of the Chicago Sky, Marsh was an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces, serving as the team’s top representative for player development.
He’s also spent time in the NBA, previously serving as a player development coach for the Toronto Raptors and an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers.
Chicago Sky© Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
The Chicago Sky and their star player, Angel Reese, will have a chance to bounce back from their blowout loss to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET against the New York Liberty.
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After that matchup, Chicago will have another tough game against the Atlanta Dream on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Related: Chicago Sky Coach Sends Strong Angel Reese Message After Loss to Indiana Fever
Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark’s Actions During Chicago Sky Game
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Source: https://athlonsports.com/wnba/chicago-sky/chicago-sky-coach-assigns-blame-after-loss-indiana-fever