The injury bug has hit Chi-Town. Sky star Rickea Jackson will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season after suffering a torn ACL.
On Tuesday, the Chicago Sky announced their star sustained a major injury—a left ACL tear. After undergoing an MRI that confirmed the diagnosis, Jackson will undergo surgery. Specifics about the procedure were not disclosed.
“We’re devastated that Rickea suffered this injury, but we are confident she will make a full recovery,” General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a press release. “Rickea was playing at an All-Star and All-Defensive level early in the season. We are certain she was primed for a career year. Our world-class medical staff will work hard with Rickea, who is one of the toughest players in the league, to get her back on the court.”
No. 5 went down with an injury during Chicago’s matchup against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. Despite the Sky’s 86-79 victory over the Lynx, Jackson suffered the injury during the second quarter after her left leg gave out on a non-contact drive against Nia Coffey. This fueled emotions in which Natasha Cloud blamed the referees for Jackson’s injury.
“Their ultimate job is to control and protect the players in this game,” Cloud said Sunday regarding the officiating. “I think that this group today failed to do so. They failed to protect Rickea. They failed to control the game…Truthfully, I think it’s bull****.”
Jackson Was Having a Career Year
Drafted No. 4 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 Draft, Jackson was traded to the Sky this offseason in exchange for Ariel Atkins. The former Tennessee standout joined a newly revamped roster that included Skylar Diggins, Azurà Stevens, DiJonai Carrington, Gabriela Jaquez, Jacy Sheldon, and Natasha Cloud.
Having earned WNBA All-Rookie honors in 2024, Jackson was having a career year in the Windy City. Leading the Sky to a 3-1 record, the Detroit native led the team in scoring, including career-highs in points (18 PPG), rebounds (4.8 RPG), assists (2.0 APG), and blocks (1.8 BPG). Logging 29.5 minutes per game, Jackson averaged 40% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc.
Rickea Jackson tonight
• 29 points
• 6 rebounds
• 3 blocks pic.twitter.com/lvnF0JbFWj— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 16, 2026
Jackson’s 2026 campaign may have been cut short, but her impact on the team’s production was profound. The Sky, who finished 10-34 in 2025, is the current No. 2 seed behind the Las Vegas Aces. Under Jackson’s leadership, the Sky ranks No. 1 in defensive rating.
She became the team’s primary scorer under head coach Tyler Marsh and fell just short of her career-high with 29 points against the Mercury on Friday. On the defensive end, Jackson compiled 7 blocks on the season.
A two-way three-level scorer, Jackson is known for mid-range fadeaways, but has improved from her rookie season, where she averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists with the Sparks. Jackson’s absence will create a void, as she’s a wing who not only has a two-way impact but can space the floor. The Sky have developmental players in Maddy Westbeld and Aicha Coulibaly. However, the injuries continue to stack up.
What’s Next for the Sky?
Given that Chicago possesses a guard-heavy roster, perhaps Coulibaly and Jaquez, who were selected No. 5 in the draft, will see increased opportunities. Although not as tall as Jackson, Jaquez has emerged as the unlikely “Swiss Army Knife” for the Sky. A product of the NCAA champion UCLA Bruins, Jaquez dropped a career-high 20 points and 8 rebounds in Sunday’s victory over Minnesota.
Regarded as a high-energy player, Jaquez has made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor as a rookie.
A wing is difficult to replace. Jackson boasted the highest usage rate of her career (28.9%) and is an incredibly versatile player. She commenced a new era in Chicago, where Jackson’s been the focal point of offense. The forward delivered career-bests in shot attempts per game (15) and trips to the charity stripe (5.5 per game).
Kamilla
Gabriela
Kamilla Cardoso finds the rook for the smooth finish!
CHI-MIN | League Pass
Tap to watch: https://t.co/gs9SBibHOf pic.twitter.com/Lf9V7krGB6— WNBA (@WNBA) May 18, 2026
Chicago remains without Courtney Vandersloot, who also tore her ACL last season. In addition, Stevens (Knee) and Carrington (Foot) continue to rehab from injuries. The latest to join the lengthy injury list is Skylar Diggins, who is day-to-day after sustaining an eye injury against the Phoenix Mercury.
In addition, Jackson joins the lengthy list of WNBA players who suffered ACL injuries, including Nika Mühl (Portland Fire) and Kathryn Westbeld (Phoenix Mercury). Notable athletes who have previously suffered an ACL tear include Cameron Brink, Skylar Diggins, Georgia Amoore, Jordan Horston, and Katie Lou Samuelson.
The Sky, who are first in the Eastern Conference, will next host the Dallas Wings at Wintrust Arena on Wednesday, May 20. The matchup kicks off a four-game home stand, and Chicago will head to the Nation’s Capital on June 2.
Sara Jane Gamelli is the Managing Editor and Senior Staff Writer at Ballislife.com, as well as Director of Ballislife Bets. Follow her on X at @SaraJGamelli.
The post What Rickea Jackson's Injury Means for the Chicago Sky appeared first on Ballislife.com.