Rickea Jackson’s breakout year with the Chicago Sky is over almost as soon as it started. The 25-year-old forward will miss the rest of the 2026 WNBA season after an MRI revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. The injury occurred when Jackson planted her left leg on a drive to the basket during the Sky’s May 17 game against the Minnesota Lynx. She was evaluated after leaving the floor, quickly ruled out, and is now expected to undergo surgery to repair the ligament. The setback abruptly strips Chicago of its primary offensive option just as the team heads into a key home stretch.
Team confirms MRI shows torn ACL
The Sky confirmed Tuesday that Jackson underwent an MRI that showed a torn ACL in her left knee and that she will have surgery, the team said. “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 a statement to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Breakout start cut short
Before the injury, Jackson was off to a blistering start. She had been averaging 22.0 points per game through Chicago’s first three contests and was the Sky’s leading scorer, according to the Chicago Sky. A 29-point outburst against the Phoenix Mercury underscored how quickly she had become Chicago’s primary offensive engine, as highlighted in the team’s game recap.
What it means for the Sky
Jackson’s injury leaves a major hole in Chicago’s rotation right as the Sky prepare for their May 20 home opener against the Dallas Wings at Wintrust Arena, according to the season schedule. The Sky are already without DiJonai Carrington, Azurá Stevens, and Courtney Vandersloot, absences that have left the roster short-handed, outlets report. OurSports Central lists the schedule, and reporting on roster availability was summarized by Yahoo Sports.
Roster options under WNBA rules
With Jackson sidelined long-term, the Sky could look to the WNBA’s hardship or emergency-hardship exceptions for help. Those mechanisms allow teams that fall below the minimum number of available players to apply for temporary roster relief, a process the league has used this season in similar situations. The rules are not automatic, though, and requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, as Front Office Sports explains.
Recovery outlook
ACL reconstruction and the road back to game action can be a long grind. For elite athletes in pivot-heavy sports like basketball, the recovery window is typically measured in months, often roughly 6 to 12 months, with many programs using 9 to 12 months as a conservative benchmark for a full return to competition. Jackson’s exact timeline will hinge on the details of her surgery and how her rehab progresses, medical specialists note, according to Mass General Brigham.
The organization and Jackson’s teammates have publicly rallied around her as the Sky’s medical staff prepares a detailed plan for surgery and rehabilitation. The team also posted a message of support on its social channels, according to coverage of the announcement that Athlon Sports summarizes along with the broader team reaction.
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