In a shocking and heartbreaking development for WNBA fans, it has been officially confirmed that Courtney Vandersloot—one of the league’s premier point guards and a future Hall of Famer—will miss the entire 2025 WNBA season due to a season-ending injury.

The news broke earlier this morning after team medical staff and Vandersloot herself issued statements confirming a torn Achilles tendon, sustained during a private offseason workout.

For the New York Liberty, title contenders and 2024 finalists, this is more than a setback—it changes everything.

A Devastating Blow for the Liberty

Vandersloot has been the floor general for New York’s high-powered offense since joining the team in 2023, orchestrating plays with surgical precision and providing veteran leadership to a team stacked with talent like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones.

In 2024, she averaged 9.3 points, 7.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game

Led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio

Was key in the Liberty’s playoff run and locker-room chemistry

“This isn’t just about stats—it’s about heart, leadership, and IQ,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. “Sloot’s absence will be felt on every level of this team.”

What This Means for the Liberty’s 2025 Season

With Vandersloot out, the Liberty face serious questions heading into the 2025 campaign:

Who runs the point now?

Sabrina Ionescu could take on more ball-handling duties, but she thrives as a combo guard.

Nyara Sabally and bench depth will need to step up dramatically.

The team may explore free agency or a midseason trade to fill the void.

Playoff Chances Now in Jeopardy?

New York entered the offseason as a top title contender.

Without their offensive engine, they now drop below Las Vegas and Seattle in most power rankings.

Chemistry will need to be rebuilt quickly around a restructured offense.

The Bigger Picture: An Era Nearing Its End?

At 36 years old, and with a full season lost to a major injury, questions naturally arise about Vandersloot’s long-term future in the WNBA. While she hasn’t announced retirement, an Achilles tear is one of the toughest injuries for guards to bounce back from.

“This isn’t how I wanted this season to go, but I’ll come back stronger,” Vandersloot said in a brief social media post. “I’ve overcome before—I’ll do it again.”

Fans and players from across the league have flooded social media with support, including messages from:

Sue Bird: “Toughest competitor I know. She’ll be back.”

Candace Parker: “Heartbroken. One of the real ones.”

What the League Loses Without Her

Vandersloot isn’t just a team leader—she’s a WNBA icon:

All-time leader in assists per game

5x All-Star

2021 WNBA Champion

A master of tempo, vision, and poise under pressure

Her absence won’t just affect the Liberty—it impacts the entire league’s competitive landscape.

Conclusion: The 2025 WNBA Season Just Got Turned Upside Down

Courtney Vandersloot’s injury is a game-changer. For the New York Liberty, it’s a brutal twist in their championship journey. For the WNBA, it’s the loss of one of the game’s most intelligent and graceful point guards.

As fans and players regroup, one thing is certain: the road to the 2025 WNBA title just got a whole lot more unpredictable.

All eyes now turn to how the Liberty respond—because without Sloot, they’ll need a new identity, fast.