Chicago Sky's overhaul hits first stress test after Rickea Jackson injury
Rickea Jackson's injury could expose some fragility in the Chicago Sky's reworked roster. Replacing her won't be so simple.
The Chicago Sky had high hopes for Rickea Jackson and its new lineup, but her injury complicates plans. Chicago spent the better part of the WNBA offseason reloading. It traded Angel Reese to Atlanta and brought in multiple free agents, including Skylar Diggins and Azurá Stevens.
The Sky also moved Ariel Atkins to Los Angeles and brought in Jackson as part of its new-look lineup. Through the first four games of the season, Jackson, who looked very comfortable in head coach Tyler Marsh's system, was averaging a team-high 18 points and was on a career-high pace with 4. 8 rebounds and 2.
0 assists per game. She also averaged 1. 8 blocks per game, tied for the team lead with center Kamilla Cardoso.
However, Jackson suffered a torn ACL just four games into her Chicago tenure and will miss the remainder of the season. "We’re devastated that Rickea suffered this injury, but we are confident she will make a full recovery," Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in the statement announcing the injury. "Rickea was playing at an All-Star and All-Defensive level early in the season.