The Sky’s offense was clicking again Friday.
Five players scored in double figures as they got a much-needed 96-82 victory against the Sparks at Wintrust Arena. But point guard Skylar Diggins only could watch as she continued to manage the discomfort in her right knee.
Diggins clarified that the issue stems from knee surgery she had last October. She has been doing physical therapy and working with the Sky’s medical staff but hasn’t practiced and doesn’t have a timeline for her return.
‘‘All I can say is I’ve been progressing day by day,’’ Diggins said before the game. ‘‘Hopefully no setbacks and just playing from there.’’
In the meantime, Diggins said she has had productive conversations with coach Tyler Marsh about her role. Marsh moved Diggins to the bench this month, a decision Diggins said caught her off-guard and wasn’t communicated clearly.
She since has told Marsh she is prepared to do whatever it takes to ‘‘contribute to winning basketball.’’
Diggins, who had been playing through discomfort all season, also previously said the Sky lacked some of the resources needed to compete at an elite level. To that end, she called it ‘‘a little disappointing’’ to learn the team won’t move into its new practice facility in Bedford Park this season.
‘‘I understand setbacks, and things like that happen,’’ Diggins said. ‘‘With a lot of us going through [injuries], it’s just unfortunate because we need a lot of those resources that it was going to provide.
‘‘We’ve been really grateful for DePaul and Wintrust that let us be here. So we’re going to do the best that we can with the resources that we have.’’
Block party
Veteran center Elizabeth Williams is moving up in the record book.
She cracked the top 10 on the WNBA’s career blocks list with 508. She said the keys to a good block are timing and scouting, but the best part is establishing enough of a presence to make opponents think twice before entering the lane.
Williams sensed the milestone was approaching because she has been keeping an eye on Aces star A’ja Wilson, who ranks eighth.
She said it ‘‘would be cool’’ to reach the top five. Former Sky great Candace Parker is fifth with 619, so a couple of more healthy seasons might put Williams within reach.
Buckets no one saw coming
Rookie guard Sydney Taylor also is chasing history — and proving to be the Sky’s best find in recent years.
Taylor is averaging 13 points, which would be the highest scoring average by an undrafted rookie in WNBA history if she maintains it through the end of the season. She lit it up against the Sparks, scoring 19 points and making four of her seven three-pointers.
Cardoso cleared
Center Kamilla Cardoso returned to the lineup after missing the Sky’s victory Wednesday against the Storm with knee soreness.
She looked solid with 13 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes.
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