# Vandersloot's clutch struggles won't define next season

> The Sky's legendary point guard acknowledges her end-game shortcomings but has a plan to bounce back.
- Title: Vandersloot's clutch struggles won't define next season
- Summary: The Sky's legendary point guard acknowledges her end-game shortcomings but has a plan to bounce back. Courtney Vandersloot's willingness to own her mistakes…
- Keywords: courtney vandersloot, chicago sky, wnba, clutch moments, acl injury recovery, rickea jackson, sydney taylor, point guard, playoff drought, 2026 season, news, local
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/09/16/courtney-vandersloot-wasnt-the-closer-she-hoped-to-be-but-she-shouldnt-have-to-fill-that-role-next-year
- Published: 2026-09-16T22:27:55.061+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: courtney vandersloot, chicago sky, wnba, clutch moments, acl injury recovery, rickea jackson, sydney taylor, point guard, playoff drought, 2026 season, news, local
## Sky's season slipping away
With four games left in the regular season, the Chicago Sky have shifted focus from a playoff push to developing young players and building for the future.
## Built around a 37-year-old legend
The roster was constructed around legendary point guard Courtney Vandersloot, who returned to Chicago in 2022 to restore the team to playoff contention.
## Vandersloot owns her struggles
Unlike many players, Vandersloot doesn't shy away from acknowledging her shortcomings, particularly in close games throughout the season.
## Decision-making in the clutch
Vandersloot admitted she lacked the right decision-making ability and comfort level in end-of-game moments that defined her earlier career.

> I think I had opportunities where the ball was in my hands to make plays for us down the stretch in a couple games, and I don't think I had the right decision-making ability at the time.
## Missing big moment reps
The point guard attributed some struggles to limited playing time after her ACL tear in early 2025, saying she never really got to be herself.

> I think part of it was just not playing, not having a lot of 'big moment' reps. I feel like I never really got to be myself.
## ACL injury derailed comeback
Vandersloot's return to Chicago was interrupted by an ACL tear early in the 2025 season, affecting her ability to deliver the end-of-game heroics she was known for.
## Impact on winning questioned
Overall, Vandersloot feels she hasn't impacted winning as much as she wanted to this season, despite returning to the court.
## Finishing at the rim declined
Her shooting at the rim is 10 percentage points lower than her prime, and quicker guards have been targeting her defensively.
## Blame spreads across roster
The Sky didn't lose 15 clutch games because of one person. Nearly every starter had a fatal blunder at some point this season.
## Roster staying mostly intact
Nine of 13 players are effectively under contract for next season, meaning the core group will remain together to build on this experience.
## From return to perform
Vandersloot plans to use the offseason for deeper rehabilitation, shifting from simply returning to play to actually excelling at her highest level.

> My knee is in a good spot, but I came back with the idea that this was part of my 'return to play,' and now I want it to be like a 'return to perform.'
## Offense sparked by her return
When Vandersloot returned in late June, the offense got an instant boost, with the team scoring a franchise-record 124 points in one game.
## Jackson returning as closer
Star forward Rickea Jackson will return from an ACL injury and is the kind of shot-creator the Sky want handling the ball in clutch moments.
## Sydney Taylor's clutch gene
Young guard Sydney Taylor has revealed her ability in tight moments, becoming the first player to hit multiple buzzer-beating threes in a season since Vandersloot in 2022.
## Shepherd, not savior
Success next season may involve Vandersloot adjusting to a more complementary role, letting younger players develop as closers while she guides the offense.
## Key takeaway

Courtney Vandersloot's willingness to own her mistakes and focus on recovery suggests the Sky's future depends more on developing younger closers like Sydney Taylor and Rickea Jackson than asking their 37-year-old leader to be the savior.