Sky leading scorer Rickea Jackson helped off with knee injury

Chicago Sky star Rickea Jackson exited the team's 86-79 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday and did not return after suffering a left knee injury in the first half.

Jackson went down with 5:24 left in the second quarter while driving to the basket, crumbling to the floor after awkwardly planting her left leg. She was on the court for a few minutes before heading to the locker room with assistance and was soon ruled out for the rest of the game.

Coach Tyler Marsh said after the game that Jackson probably would haveimaging on the knee but did not have any further update.

"She's in decent spirits," Marsh said. "We're waiting to evaluate everything, but she was proud of the team for continuing to fight while she was out."

The 6-foot-2 forward was the No. 4 pick in 2024 out of Tennessee and came to Chicago this offseason via trade after two seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she averaged 14.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 2025. She was having a breakout start to her third year in the league, entering Sunday as the Sky's leading scorer at 22 points per game.

Sky guard Natasha Cloud said she felt the officials did not control the game and "failed to protect Rickea," as a Lynx defender and Jackson made contact just before the injury and a foul was not called. Cloud delivered that message to the referees when Jackson went down and was called for a technical foul.

"On top of the points of emphasis that were emphasized at the beginning of the season, their ultimate job is to control and protect the players in this game," Cloud said. "And I think that this group today failed to do so. ... Truthfully, I think it's bulls---.

"You can be mad at me if you want to, but I'll be damned if we keep getting players hurt in this league on any team because we refuse to control the game."

Chicago already is dealing with several injuries. Azura Stevens (knee), DiJonai Carrington (foot) and Courtney Vandersloot (knee) have yet to make their season debuts because of various ailments, andSkylar Digginssat out Sunday's game because of an eye injury, though Marsh indicated she was expected back soon.

But the new-look Sky have managed well amid the circumstances, improving to 3-1 Sunday after playing four road games.

"I think the ultimate satisfaction is seeing how the players who are healthy continue to fight, while those that are unhealthy right now are working their tails off to get back, and how aligned the two are in terms of how the communication has been with Sloot, with DiJonai, with Azura," Marsh said. "As they've been working to get back, they've still been locked into every moment for those who are here and supportive and great teammates, and so all that goes into the culture-building aspect that we talk about around here, and who we want to be moving forward.

"We're all extremely pleased and proud to come away with this road trip 3-1 and looking forward to getting back home."

The Sky host their home opener Wednesday against the Dallas Wings.br/]