PHOENIX — All eyes were on the Chicago Sky after it was confirmed that guard Skylar Diggins would move to the bench for the first time in a decade, meaning her streak of 341 consecutive starts would soon come to an end.
But as Sky head coach Tyler Marsh fielded questions about his decision ahead of the Sky’s matchup against the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, July 7, Diggins was ruled out with a right knee injury.
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Diggins wasn’t initially listed on the Sky’s injury report heading into Tuesday’s matchup before appearing on the league’s 8:30 p.m. ET report for the first time.
Diggins voiced her disappointment in being moved to the bench after 19 starts for the Sky. She vented on Instagram on Monday, writing, “Now I’m coming off the bench?????? Cool.” She doubled down Monday afternoon after a team practice, saying she “no idea where this is coming from or if it’s a permanent decision.”
“I’ve been putting my body on the line all year for this team,” Diggins told the media after practice in Phoenix. “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.
This story will be updated with more information.
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More: Skylar Diggins blindsided by move to bench after starting all 19 games
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sky’s Skylar Diggins ruled out vs. Mercury after starting lineup change
