Skylar Diggins believes one of the biggest frustrations of the Chicago Sky’s 2026 season had nothing to do with what happened on the court.
It was where they were trying to prepare for it.
Following the announcement that Diggins will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season because of a knee injury, the veteran guard opened up about the Sky’s ongoing practice-facility situation and the lack of a consistent home base for the team.
For Diggins, the issue goes beyond convenience.
She believes the lack of expected resources may have contributed to Chicago becoming one of the most injury-plagued teams in the league.
“A lot of things were out of our control with the practice facility, and wanting to be in that. I think a lot of us were promised that.”
Diggins explained that players expected the Sky’s new practice facility to be available during the season, but that never became the reality.
Instead, the team dealt with restrictions surrounding where and when they could practice and train.
“Sometimes we have limits or restrictions or how many hours we could be there, and that affects everything when you’re trying to be a pro and get in what you need.”
That became particularly frustrating for a veteran like Diggins, who said the players’ executive committee had pushed for professional standards and resources that would allow WNBA players to properly prepare and perform.
The Injury Question
The timing is difficult to ignore.
Chicago dealt with a significant number of injuries throughout the 2026 season, and Diggins ultimately became one of the team’s most notable casualties.
The seven-time All-Star averaged 14.2 points, 4.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds before her season came to an end.
Diggins stopped short of definitively saying the facility situation caused injuries, but her comments make clear that she doesn’t view the circumstances as insignificant.
For professional athletes, proper recovery, strength training, treatment, practice time and access to facilities are all part of the job.
When those resources aren’t consistently available, players can feel the difference.
Diggins Expects Change
Despite her frustration, Diggins doesn’t expect the same situation to continue into next season.
“I don’t anticipate that next year,” she said.
That’s perhaps the most important takeaway.
The Sky are entering a critical period for the organization, and providing players with a consistent, professional practice environment will be essential.
For Diggins, the hope is that the lessons from 2026 lead to meaningful changes in 2027.
The Sky’s season may be nearing its end, but the conversation surrounding player resources, facilities and working conditions is clearly not going away.
The question now isn’t just when Chicago’s players will get healthy. It’s whether the organization will finally give them the infrastructure they need to stay that way.
