The Chicago Sky won 86-79 to secure their third win in four, but another devastating injury news hit them. Forward Rickea Jackson went down in the second quarter against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. The team ruled the third-year star for the remainder of the game, but her veteran teammate expected more from the officials.

Signed five days before the regular season, Natasha Cloud complained to the referees, and she was assessed a technical foul after Jackson suffered the injury. The one-time WNBA champion said that the officiating crew failed to control and protect the players in this game. “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. They failed to protect Rickea. They failed to control the game.

Truthfully, I think it’s bullshit. Obviously, I needed to get a tech. A lot of people think I’m a crash out, but it was very intentional because I will be damned if a player gets hurt on our team because of something that was controllable by the referees.”

Jackson went down in the second quarter while driving to the basket after her left leg awkwardly gave out. She crumpled to the ground and remained there for several minutes before finally leaving for the locker room. Cloud explained how she thought that the contact Lynx forward Nia Coffey made with Jackson before that play was also overly physical. The 34-year-old also explained she got hit in the face, and yet there was no call. That’s why she went to the referees and said, “I say, ‘The game’s getting a little out of control. You need to control it.’”

 

Again, this was all before Rickea Jackson’s unfortunate injury. Cloud’s frustration also seeps in from the fact that there was no foul called on the play resulting in Jackson’s injury. She said the Sky would be sending that play to the league to review. Cloud finished with 11 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. While Jackson had six points and a rebound when she went down on Sunday at the Target Center. Her status remains unclear as the head coach gave a status update.

Rickea Jackson becomes another name on the bench of absentees

With the trade of Angel Reese, it’s a new look for Sky. While they are winning on the hardwood, the injuries surrounding the franchise have limited their true potential. Skylar Diggins missed Sunday’s game with an eye injury, which she suffered during Friday’s 91-83 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Apart from the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, three other Sky stars are yet to make their season debut.

Courtney Vandersloot has been sidelined recovering from right knee surgery. DiJonai Carrington, who signed in free agency following a foot injury in the 2025 postseason, underwent minor surgery to remove hardware. She is expected to be out recovering until roughly mid-to-late June. Azura Stevens is out with a left knee injury. Now, add to this list Rickea Jackson, as the head coach is unsure about the return timeline.

“She’s in decent spirits,” Tyler Marsh told reporters after the game, “We’re waiting to evaluate everything, but she’s proud of the team for continuing to fight while she was out.” When he was asked if Jackson would need an MRI, Marsh added, “We’re still waiting to see, but probably.” In the three games she played so far, she was averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. More responsibility will fall on Rookie Gabriela Jaquez, who scored a team high 20 points and eight rebounds on Sunday night.

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