Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sydney Colson (51).
Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Following a 35-point loss to the Indiana Fever in their 2025 WNBA season opener, Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh promised the loss to the Caitlin Clark-led team would not define their season.
Three weeks later, the Sky have a 2-5 record after getting blown out again by the Fever, 79-52, at home 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.
“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.
A first-round draft pick out of TCU, Van Lith is likely 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 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.
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 at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday on ESPN.
