CHICAGO — Well, at least the Sky avoided setting a new franchise-low in points.
The Sky managed just 52 points, matching the worst in the WNBA this season, in their blowout loss to the Indiana Fever on Saturday night. That’s better than the franchise-low 48 they scored against the Detroit Shock on Aug. 10, 2006, their first season. But it ties the fifth-lowest total in team history and worst since scoring 49 against the New York Liberty in 2011.
The Sky also did not have a single player in double figures, with Kamilla Cardoso and Rebecca Allen leading the team with eight points each.
The ugly showing came on a night the Sky played their first game at the United Center, in front of a sellout crowd of 19,496.
Here are the latest updates from this matchup, including score and highlights.
Courtney Vandersloot injury update
CHICAGO — Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh had no update on Courtney Vandersloot’s injury, saying they’re ‘still assessing’ the veteran point guard.
Vandersloot was driving to the basket midway through the first quarter when she went down, grabbing her knee. She had to be carried off the floor and was immediately taken back to the locker room. The Sky quickly said she would not return.
Marsh said the injury took a toll on the Sky emotionally, and they were never able to regroup in the 79-52 blowout by the Indiana Fever.
‘It’s heartbreaking. It’s heartbreaking to watch anybody, but especially one of our teammates and someone that means as much as Sloot does to this team and organization,’ Hailey Van Lith said. ‘Whatever is in store in the future for this team, I trust we will find a way to make this moment mean something in the end.’
Indiana Fever vs. Chicago Sky highlights
Final: Fever 79, Sky 52
No Caitlin Clark? No problem in this one for the Indiana Fever.
Four Fever players hit double-digit points while no member of the Sky cleared 10 points. Angel Reese was held to just four points on 2-for-7 shooting. She did have a game-high 12 rebounds.
As a team the Sky shot just 32.7% from the field and hit just three 3-pointers on 15 attempts (20%). The Fever hit 45.8% of their shots and were 11-for-27 from 3 (40.7%). Kelsey Mitchell had a game-high 17 points.
Check out full stats from the game here.
Fever vs. Sky score: Indiana opens huge lead
The Fever is rolling and now leads Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky by 29 points. Without Caitlin Clark, Indiana has still managed to go 23-of-47 and is now 48.9% from the field as a team.
Score: Indiana Fever 68, Chicago Sky 39
Natasha Howard launches a deep dagger
With a quarter and a half still to play, Natasha Howard might have just delivered the dagger for the Indiana Fever.
The Sky had smothered the Fever for almost the entire length of the shot clock, only to have Kelsey Mitchell flip the ball to Howard, who drained a 3 as the buzzer sounded. It extended Indiana’s lead to 54-35 and gave Howard 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. — Nancy Armour
Fever vs. Sky halftime score: Indiana leads Chicago
That was a rough ending to the first half for the Chicago Sky.
Both teams are short-handed, but the Fever has had a little more poise and controlled much of the first half. But the Sky cranked up the defense, limiting the Fever’s offense while making a few shots of their own, and managed to pare Indiana’s lead to 34-26 on a Kia Nurse 3 with 1:17 left in the half.
But Lexie Hull hit a three, and the Sky got sloppy, sending Indiana to the foul line three times in the last 35 seconds. The Fever made 4 of their 6 free throws, extending their lead. — Nancy Armour
Score: Indiana Fever 41, Chicago Sky 28
Courtney Vandersloot injury update: Will not return to game
Unsurprisingly, Courtney Vandersloot has been ruled out for the rest of the game.
The veteran guard was driving to the basket midway through the first quarter when she went to the ground, clutching her knee. She had to be helped off the floor and was carried straight to the locker room. — Nancy Armour
Fever vs. Sky: Highlights
Fever vs. Sky score update: Indiana up after Q1
No Caitlin Clark, no problem so far. Indiana leads the Sky 21-13. Kelsey Mitchell leads Fever players with eight points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the field.
Kamila Cardoso (shoulder) has four points on 1-of-2 shooting, also grabbing three boards in the first quarter.
Courtney Vandersloot injured
Courtney Vandersloot went down with a knee injury midway through the first quarter and this does not look good for her. Or the Chicago Sky.
The veteran point guard appeared to come down hard beneath the basket and immediately clutched her knee. Her teammates quickly gathered around her and she stayed on the ground for several minutes before being carried off the floor and right to the locker room.
Vandersloot’s return to Chicago after two years with the New York Liberty was the Sky’s big move this offseason, signed for both her point guard savvy and veteran leadership. Angel Reese was praising her calmness before the game, saying it’s helped the team during a rough start to the season.
Vandersloot was originally drafted by the Sky. She recently became the team’s scoring leader, breaking wife Allie Quigley’s record. — Nancy Armour
Kamilla Cardoso in game vs. Fever
Kamilla Cardoso is in the starting lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Indiana Fever.
Cardoso was held out of practice a couple of times this weekend for what Sky coach Tyler Marsh said was precautions over shoulder issues. But he said before the game that she was good to go and, indeed, she was on the court for the opening tip. — Nancy Armour
What time is Sky vs. Fever?
Saturday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky is set to tip off at 8 pm. ET, with the action taking place at the United Center in Chicago.
How to watch Sky vs. Fever WNBA game: TV, stream
Time: 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT
Location: United Center (Chicago)
TV: CBS
Stream: Fubo, WNBA League Pass, YouTube TV
Why is Caitlin Clark not playing today?
Clark said Thursday she would not play in the Fever’s matchup against the Sky on Saturday, marking the fourth consecutive game she’ll miss due to a left quad injury.
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