During last Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx, Rickea Jackson went down with a non-contact injury to her left knee. After receiving an MRI on Monday, the results confirmed a torn ACL, sidelining her for the rest of the season. The Chicago Sky will need to find other players to step up in Jackson’s absence.
How Rickea Jackson’s Torn ACL Impacts The Chicago Sky
ACL Injuries In Women’s Sports
ACL injuries have become prominent in women’s sports. A lot of the time, the injury is non-contact, even though many sports are very physical. When Jackson was playing on Sunday, she was wearing a protective sleeve over her left leg. She was dribbling the ball, took a step toward the basket, and her knee buckled, resulting in the torn left ACL.
In women’s contact sports, for every 10,000 exposures, the injury rate in women is 1.88 ACL tears, whereas for men it is 0.87 ACL tears, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. Anatomical differences between men and women play a big part in this type of injury. Women tend to have increased hip rotation at the knee compared to men. This motion makes it more likely for an ACL tear, especially in a high-impact sport.
Rickea Jackson’s Impact
Jackson became a prominent player after being drafted fourth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024. As a rookie, she averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. In her second season, she put up 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists. On Apr. 12, Jackson was traded to the Chicago Sky for guard Ariel Atkins — a shocking trade at the time given Jackson’s success in LA.
Jackson was already standing out with Chicago. The forward was averaging 18 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and two assists in the Sky’s first four contests. There was strong energy and determination from Jackson to start this season. The forward was playing like she had something to prove. The Chicago Sky had struggled to make the playoffs the past few seasons. The addition of Jackson to the team could have helped change that fate.
Jackson’s Absence Affects The Sky’s Momentum
The Sky started out their season with a 3-1 record, including a win in the game in which Jackson was injured. Their next game was Wednesday night against the Dallas Wings, and they lost 99-89. Losing the young talent of Jackson is a huge blow to this team. Playing in Unrivaled during the offseason really improved Jackson’s game, and there was a lot to look forward to from her this season.
Jackson was making an immediate impact with her new team. The Sky are going to have to find ways to fill the offensive void without her in the lineup. Because of injuries to other players, there have already been issues with the roster’s depth. A shift in momentum has already taken place, as Jackson played a key role in the Sky’s strong start.
What the Sky Can Do Moving Forward
The Chicago Sky used the offseason to make significant roster changes. Trading star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream was a huge move that shocked the women’s basketball world. The acquisitions of veterans such as Skylar Diggins, Azurá Stevens and Natasha Cloud were equally important.
Both Stevens and Cloud have won WNBA championships in their careers, while Diggins has six years of playoff experience. Having this type of veteran presence will be crucial to getting back on the right track. The young talent of Kamilla Cardoso is also vital, as the center is currently averaging a double-double of 14.4 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Players Who Need To Step Up
Rookie Gabriela Jaquez out of UCLA has been implemented into the starting lineup for the Sky. She recently recorded a career-high 20 points and eight assists in Sunday’s game. If she can consistently be a scorer and playmaker, the Sky have a dark horse player on their roster. Cloud can spark up a team when they need it. Her experience in the league will be beneficial to Chicago. Cloud has offensive talent and a strong defensive IQ. In a few games this season, the guard has put up strong stat lines. This type of performance will be needed each night.
DiJonai Carrington has yet to make her season debut. However, once she returns, the Sky will have a strong defensive player in Carrington. Additionally, they will have yet another veteran with playoff experience if they get in that position. Carrington is a great two-way player that the Sky will need in their starting lineup.
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