Skylar Diggins says she was blindsided by Sky benching
Skylar Diggins says she was blindsided by the Chicago Sky moving her to the bench after she started all 19 games this season. The veteran guard aired her frustration publicly, then told reporters she didn’t understand the decision or whether it’s permanent—turning a routine lineup tweak into a bigger question about trust and direction.
Key Takeaways
- Diggins says she’s now coming off the bench after starting all 19 games.
- She posted her surprise on Instagram, then spoke publicly in Phoenix ahead of a game vs. the Mercury.
- Coach Tyler Marsh called it a “coach’s decision” and kept details private.
- The change comes as Chicago struggles at 6-14 and navigates injuries and roster upheaval.
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What exactly happened to skylar diggins’ starting role?
On Monday, Diggins confirmed she would be coming off the bench despite starting every one of Chicago’s first 19 games, according to USA Today. Earlier, she posted on Instagram: “Now I’m coming off the bench?????? Cool.”
She also posted a video saying, “And the crazy part about it all is that … I’ve been so quiet. I’ve been so good and quiet,” as reported by USA Today and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Why did the Sky make the move, and was she told?
Diggins said the news from coach Tyler Marsh caught her off guard and that she still didn’t understand why she wasn’t starting, the Sun-Times reported. She said she and Marsh hadn’t spoken since Friday and that there had been “tons” of miscommunications since she arrived in Chicago.
Marsh publicly framed it simply as his call. “It’s a coach’s decision. It’s my decision, and the conversations that me and Skylar had will stay between us,” he said, per USA Today. He added that she remains “a big piece” for the team.
Is this about performance, Courtney Vandersloot, or something bigger?
USA Today reported Diggins is likely being benched in favor of Courtney Vandersloot, who returned June 26 after recovering from a torn right ACL. The Sun-Times also noted Chicago has talked about easing Diggins’ heavy minutes load, while Vandersloot returned on a minutes restriction.
But the Sun-Times suggested the tension isn’t purely basketball. Diggins has been candid that the season hasn’t gone as expected, and she raised concerns about communication, resources, and the direction of the season. She also said she had knee surgery in October, adding to the strain, and questioned continuing to make “sacrifices” without “proper resources to play at an elite level,” per the Sun-Times.
What did Diggins say about her role and the team’s season?
Speaking at a shootaround in Phoenix ahead of a matchup with the Mercury, Diggins told reporters she felt she’d done what was asked: “I’ve been putting my body on the line all year for this team,” USA Today quoted her as saying. “I’ve done everything that’s been asked of me. I’ve been great professionally, that’s the decision that’s made, and I gotta live with that.”
She also said she didn’t know whether the move was permanent, adding she’d accept it if it helps the Sky succeed, USA Today reported.
The backdrop is ugly. Chicago is 6-14, and the Sun-Times reported the Sky lost leading scorer Rickea Jackson to a torn ACL early in the season. Yahoo Sports noted Diggins signed a two-year, $1.8 million deal this offseason and is averaging 14.2 points and 4.9 assists in 19 games, while acknowledging the team’s struggles and raising the possibility that trade speculation could follow if frustration escalates.