The Chicago Sky’s 2026 WNBA season will only last for four more games after the 2026 FIBA World Cup break. In the hope of a resurrection in the next season and a long-term view of her health, the Sky has shut down veteran guard Skylar Diggins for the rest of the season. According to USA Today WNBA reporter Meghan Hall, the decision was made after taking multiple factors into consideration.
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“Skylar Diggins is out for the rest of the 2026 WNBA season, the Sky announce. The decision was made to prioritize long-term health and to give Diggins time to focus on recovery from an aggravated right knee injury,” Hall wrote on X.
The decision comes at a time when the Sky are forced to make some tough decisions as the offseason kicks off. First, they traded Angel Reese after failing to make the playoffs in her first two seasons. Now, they have missed the postseason in yet another season. Diggins could prove to be a crucial piece for them when she is fully healthy next season.
Skylar Diggins underwent knee surgery in October.
She played her last game in the first week of July against the Las Vegas Aces. She scored 19 points in the 98-90 overtime loss, shooting 53.8% from the field and 50.0% from the 3-point line. Since then, Diggins has reportedly been trying her best to return to the court.
“Skylar made a strong effort to get back to the court this season. She’s been in constant communication with us through the entire process,” Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca said in his statement.
Skylar Diggins played only 19 games this season and has been dealing with the knee injury for most of the season. Having established herself as one of the toughest and elite guards in the league and with an experience that spanned well over a decade, Diggins was a crucial addition for Chicago this season.
However, the 36-year-old veteran failed to deliver and struggled to live up to the Sky’s expectations. In 19 games she appeared, all of them as a starter, she averaged 14.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 39.2% from the field, the lowest scoring efficiency since her rookie season in 2013.
Head coach Tyler Marsh eventually benched her, a decision that Diggins was not a fan of. She was vocal about her frustration on social media, but she never appeared in another game while dealing with the injury.
The Sky have a decision to make about Skylar Diggins for the next season. She can still be a big part of the starting lineup next season. However, her role since Marsh decided in July could still be a big disagreement between the veteran and the team going forward.