Chicago Sky Coach Braces for Unfortunate Decision on WNBA Rookie

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Sep 5, 2025 4:43 PM ET

The Chicago Sky head into the final four games of the regular season already eliminated from playoff contention and managing yet another injury question: rookie guard Hailey Van Lith.

Van Lith remains out with an ankle issue for Friday's contest against the Indiana Fever and hasn’t played since Aug. 25, being limited to just 29 of 40 games this season due to injury.

Asked Friday whether the team might shut her down for the remainder of the season, coach Tyler Marsh said they’re "still holding out hope on a return," but emphasized they won’t rush anything with so little time left and will make a final call soon, as reported by Chicago State of Mind Sports.

Coach Marsh on the possibility of shutting Hailey Van Lith down for the season (4 games remaining):

“We’re still holding out hope on a return, she’s still getting the treatment that she needs and you don’t want to rush anything with where we are at in the season. Obviously with…
— Chicago State of Mind Sports (@ChiStateOfMind_) September 5, 2025

Van Lith’s Rookie WNBA Season

Van Lith was a first-round pick by Chicago in April (No. 11) and entered the season as a rookie guard expected to provide depth and playmaking right away.

So far this season, she’s averaged 3.5 points, 1.6 assists, 1.1 rebounds and 0.4 steals in 12.4 minutes across 29 games. Her playing time has been limited and sporadic, with her best performance coming on June 15 against the Connecticut Sun, scoring 16 points and securing five rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.

The ankle injury that has her sidelined was suffered earlier in the year and she's been nursing it ever since, with Van Lith receiving ongoing treatment and recovery being handled cautiously.

Chicago’s season has been rocky, to say the least. The Sky hold the third-worst record in the league at 10-30, having battled injuries to veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot (season-ending ACL) and intermittent absences for star forward Angel Reese.

Those absences magnified the need for reliable perimeter play and ball-handling, precisely the areas Van Lith was expected to help, but the young guard’s limited availability reduced Chicago’s options.

The bottom line is, with just four games remaining and no playoff chase, Chicago will not force a return for Van Lith just to check a box. The smarter play is the long view: a healthy offseason, a sharper role definition and a cleaner runway to year two.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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