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Rickea Jackson: Rickea Jackson will miss the rest of the 2026 WNBA season after being diagnosed with a torn ACL in her left knee, the Chicago Sky confirmed Tuesday.
The injury occurred during Chicago’s 86-79 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.
Jackson underwent an MRI following the game, which revealed the severity of the knee injury.
Team officials said the second-year forward is expected to undergo surgery. The procedure date has not yet been announced.
Jackson’s absence is a significant setback for Chicago as the team continues its 2026 campaign without one of its key frontcourt players.
Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said the organization is confident Rickea Jackson will make a full recovery after suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
In a statement, Pagliocca said the team was deeply disappointed by Jackson’s injury but expressed optimism about her rehabilitation process.
He added that the forward had been performing at an All-Star and All-Defensive level during the early part of the season.
Pagliocca also said the organization believed Jackson was on track for a breakout year before the setback.
He praised her toughness and said the team’s medical staff will work closely with her throughout the recovery process.
Jackson is expected to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with a torn ACL in her left knee, an injury that will sideline her for the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season.
Rickea Jackson entered the WNBA as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft after a standout college career at University of Tennessee.
The 6-foot-2 forward quickly established herself as a rising talent in the league.
Jackson was traded to the Chicago Sky in April as part of a deal with the Los Angeles Sparks.
In exchange, Chicago sent veteran guard Ariel Atkins, a two-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive selection.
Before the trade, Jackson averaged 14.7 points and 3.2 rebounds during the 2025 season with Los Angeles.
The Sparks have opened the current season with a 1-3 record as they continue to search for consistency early in the campaign.
Rickea Jackson emerged as one of the WNBA’s most impactful offseason additions, delivering the best statistical stretch of her professional career before her injury.
Jackson posted career highs across multiple categories, averaging 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game.
She entered Sunday as the leading scorer for the Chicago Sky, averaging 22 points per contest. Chicago’s retooled roster has been among the league’s early surprises.
Alongside Jackson, key additions such as Skylar Diggins, Gabriela Jaquez, Azurá Stevens, and Natasha Cloud helped the team open the season with a 3-1 record.
The Sky are currently tied with the defending champion New York Liberty for the second-best record in the league.
The Chicago Sky are facing a growing list of injuries as the season progresses, with several key players still unavailable.
Azurá Stevens has not yet made her season debut due to a knee injury.
DiJonai Carrington remains sidelined with a foot issue. Courtney Vandersloot is also out as she continues to recover from a knee ailment.
The team was further shorthanded Sunday when Skylar Diggins missed the game because of an eye injury.
Head coach Tyler Marsh said Diggins is expected to return in the near future, offering some optimism as Chicago navigates a difficult stretch of early-season health concerns.
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