The Chicago Sky’s problems don’t seem to be reducing anytime soon. This time, it is related to veteran Skylar Diggins, who felt blindsided after the management decided to demote her to the bench. She even posted a message on Instagram, which read, “Now I’m coming off the bench?????? Cool.”

Naturally, head coach Tyler Marsh was asked about the decision, who at the time refused to elaborate on the reality of the situation, but that changed during a press conference ahead of the team’s game against the Phoenix Mercury.

“Yeah. It’s something that we or that I felt was necessary for now,” said Marsh during a pre-game press conference. “We’ll see what it looks like moving forward. I think that when you’re trying to find some rhythm, you got to make some adjustments at times somewhere. And that comes with making some tough decisions at times.

“Sky’s been a high-volume, minute player for us all year with huge impact. And the level of preparation that she puts into her body and into the work ethic that she brings, it can’t go understated. So, she continues to be a big part of who we are and what we do.”

And just as Marsh pointed out, Skylar Diggins has indeed been an important part of the Sky this season. Through 19 games, she has averaged 14.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. However, those solid individual numbers have not translated into favorable results for Chicago, as they managed to secure only six wins with Diggins as the starter

The decision to move Diggins to the bench comes just a month after she called out the team’s mentality.

The move to the bench ends her decade-long streak of starting in the WNBA. The last time she came off the bench was during her time with the Dallas Wings.

“I’ve been putting my body on the line all year for this team,” she told the media at a shootaround on Monday after her initial post. “And 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.”

Besides being benched, Skylar Diggins appeared on the injury list for the first time at 8:30 p.m. ET. Despite not being part of the initial injury report for the Sky heading into the Mercury game.

The report ruled her out for the game due to a right knee issue, but didn’t reveal anything else. Although Diggins didn’t play, the Sky got their much-awaited win against the Mercury.

Chicago Sky snapped their losing streak despite Skylar Diggins’s absence

The initial expectation was that Skylar Diggins would come off the bench in the Phoenix Mercury game. However, the team ruled Skylar Diggins out before tip-off because of a knee issue, leaving her out of the game lineup altogether.

Regardless of Diggins’ absence, however, the Chicago Sky went on to secure a 77-66 victory, snapping their two-game losing streak and improving their season record to 7-14.

While it wasn’t a high-scoring game, the Sky controlled much of the contest. They established an early lead in the first quarter and remained in front for more than 36 minutes throughout the game.

Courtney Vandersloot, who was making her first start and playing in place of Skylar Diggins, finished the game with seven points, three rebounds, and one assist. And despite getting the start, she was still on controlled minutes, playing just 18 minutes in total. She will most definitely see more playing time in the next game as coach Marsh gradually eases her into the starting role. 

As for Skylar Diggins, it is not yet clear when she will return from the said knee injury. Hopefully, she also makes it back for the next game, at least to compete for the spot that she just lost. Beyond that, this Chicago Sky team also really does need all hands on deck if it is going to string together any meaningful winning run.