Chicago Dubs: Liberty Win 4th Straight in Vandersloot's Return

With Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" taking over nearby Soldier Field on Friday evening, Chicago Sky fans ensured there was no bad blood between them and Courtney Vandersloot.

But they should've known Vandersloot and Betnijah Laney were trouble when they walked into Wintrust Arena.

The former Chicagoans reminded their former adoring public what they were capable of in a return trip to the Windy City, as the Liberty stole a 77-76 decision from the Sky to open the weekend. Though it was far from their finest showing, New York (4-1) took home its fourth consecutive win after a loss on opening night.

Vandersloot, earner of eight points, eight assists, and three blocks, was the guest of honor as she made her return to Chicago after signing with the Liberty over the offseason following a 12-season trek with the Sky. Laney, however, put forth her finest efforts of the season with 17 points, dooming the team that began her WNBA career in 2015 when she arrived from Rutgers. Elsewhere in the box score, Breanna Stewart had another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds while Kayla Thornton had 12 off the bench.

Stewart, despite a relatively quiet night, was the heroine for the Liberty, banking in the winner with just over seven seconds left in the game to seal the deal.

The win in Vandersloot's return allowed the Liberty to keep winning in a de facto reunion tour that also featured wins over Jonquel Jones' former compatriots from Connecticut and Breanna Stewart's old allies in Seattle. They also earned a quantum of revenge for last postseason, as the Sky previously ended the Liberty's 2022 season in a three-game set in last year's opening round despite New York stealing the opener in Chicago.

After a week away from Brooklyn, the Liberty return home on Sunday afternoon when they'll face the same Sky in the latter half of a home-and-home at Barclays Center (2 p.m. ET, YES/CBS Sports Network).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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