Skylar Diggins said Monday that she was surprised to learn she would no longer start for the Sky after opening all 19 games as the team’s point guard.
Diggins reacted on Instagram with a blunt message after the change, then expanded on the decision when speaking to reporters. She made clear that the move came from Tyler Marsh, while also saying she would handle it professionally even if she did not agree with it.
“Every decision that’s made basketball-wise is made by Marsh,” Diggins said. “That’s my boss. Even if I don’t like decisions, I have to be a pro and go with whatever he thinks.”
The benching arrives during a difficult stretch for Chicago, which has a 6-14 record and has already dealt with several layers of change since Diggins arrived in April 2026. She also pointed to the broader environment around the team, saying it has not always had what it needs to be successful.
What Diggins said about the situation
Diggins did not hide her frustration. She said she had been in the league for almost 400 games and believed she had consistently done her part, both on and off the floor.
“I’ve been in this league for almost 400 games. I’ve been in a lot of places, and that’s always the case. I’ve been putting my body on the line. I’m here for this team. I’ve done everything that’s been asked of me. I’ve been great professionally. That’s the decision that’s made, and I’ve got to live with that,” she said.
She also connected the issue to the team’s resources and setup, saying she expected more progress on the practice facility in Bedford Park and believed those details matter when trying to perform at a high level.
“I was thinking we were going to be in a practice facility, and other things that were told to me. And that’s not been the case. There’s been things outside of people’s control that I understand, too, a lot of moving parts. Lots of places I’ve been were in that process as well, so I get it. But it’s hard to perform at a certain level without those resources,” Diggins said.
Why it matters
This is more than a simple lineup tweak. Diggins had been the team’s starting point guard, and the change signals that the relationship between her and the organization remains unsettled.
The tension has been building for months. In June 2026, Diggins criticized a “loser mentality” after an ugly loss to the Tempo. In October 2026, she had knee surgery. More recently, she reacted on Friday, July 3, 2026, after making a 3-point basket against the Las Vegas Aces in Las Vegas.
Tyler Marsh said the details of his conversations with Diggins would remain private. For now, that leaves the benching open-ended, with no public indication of whether it is a short-term adjustment or the start of a longer change in role.
For Chicago, the next step is about more than just who starts. It is about whether the team and one of its most accomplished players can get back on the same page while the season continues.
