Diggins Blames Sky's Missing Practice Facility for Injury Woes
Skylar Diggins, sidelined for the rest of the season with a right knee injury, criticized the Chicago Sky for lacking resources, saying the team's injury rate is not coincidental. She called the absence of a dedicated practice facility the biggest frustration of the season. The Sky are expected to open a new facility next year, but Diggins said she is looking forward to it.
Diggins joined Chicago on a two-year deal last offseason and appeared in 19 games before her July 3 exit, averaging 14.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.2 rebounds. She had already been removed from the starting lineup while playing through knee discomfort before the decision to shut her down was made. Her teammates Rickea Jackson (torn ACL) and DiJonai Carrington (11 games played) also spent significant time sidelined.
The Sky sit at 15-25, eliminated from playoff contention for a fourth straight season despite their 2021 championship. A new practice facility is slated to open next year, which Diggins said she anticipates, though she declined to say whether knowing about the current conditions would have changed her decision to sign with Chicago.
This dispute highlights a broader conversation about player welfare and facility standards across the WNBA, where uneven resources between franchises can affect performance and longevity. Diggins' comments could pressure other teams to accelerate facility investments and may influence how free agents evaluate organizations. Fans and sponsors may also pay closer attention to working conditions, potentially shaping league-wide expectations for player support in coming seasons.