PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — Skylar Diggins posted 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and the Chicago Sky spoiled the expansion Portland Fire’s WNBA opener with a 98-83 victory on Saturday night before 19,335 at Moda Center.

Kamilla Cardoso added 22 points and 14 rebounds for Chicago, which led by as many as 17 points in the first half before withstanding a Portland rally that tied the game in the fourth quarter.

Carla Leite scored 18 points and made six of six free throws for the Fire, whose fans celebrated the league’s return to the city for the first time in 24 years. Sarah Ashlee Barker and Bridget Carleton each scored 13 points for Portland, and Luisa Geiselsoder contributed eight points and seven rebounds.

Chicago jumped out quickly, scoring 19 points in the first quarter while limiting Portland to 18. The Sky extended the lead in the second quarter behind 31 points, taking a 50-37 advantage into halftime. Cardoso dominated inside with 14 points and eight rebounds in the first half, and Diggins orchestrated the offense with nine points, six rebounds and four assists.

Portland found its rhythm in the third quarter, erupting for 30 points while holding Chicago to 18. The Fire cut the deficit to 68-67 entering the fourth. Carleton’s 3-pointer with 8:39 remaining in the game tied the score at 70, erasing Chicago’s double-digit lead and electrifying the crowd.

The most critical sequence came immediately after Portland tied the game. Chicago responded with a 9-0 run over the next two minutes. Rickea Jackson made a pair of free throws at the 8:28 mark to put the Sky back in front. After a Portland miss, Jackson drew another foul and converted one of two free throws. Elizabeth Williams then scored a layup, and after a Fire turnover, Diggins buried a 3-pointer from the left wing with 4:47 remaining, pushing Chicago’s lead to 80-70.

Portland never got closer than eight points the rest of the way. The Sky put the game away at the free-throw line, making 26 of 34 attempts compared to Portland’s 16 of 20. Chicago also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 14 rebounds to Portland’s three.

Diggins was the top star for Chicago, recording her first double-double of the season while adding two blocks. She shot seven of 15 from the field and made both of her 3-point attempts. Cardoso shot eight of 16 from the floor and grabbed six offensive rebounds. Jacy Sheldon contributed 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Jackson finished with 19 points and seven rebounds despite shooting five of 14 from the field.

For Portland, Leite shot five of 13 from the field and made all six free throws. Barker shot five of nine and added four rebounds. Carleton made three of seven from 3-point range and dished four assists.

The Sky shot 33 of 69 from the field for 47.8 percent and six of 17 from 3-point range for 35.3 percent. The Fire shot 29 of 71 for 40.8 percent and nine of 29 from beyond the arc for 31 percent. Chicago recorded eight blocks and four steals while committing nine turnovers. Portland had eight blocks and six steals with eight turnovers.

Chicago’s season record improved to 1-0. Portland fell to 0-1.

The Sky next play at Golden State on Wednesday. The Fire host New York on Monday.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Portland with an 88.3 percent probability to win. Chicago was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 3.5 points. The total score of 98 points went over the over/under line of 158.5.