Chicago Sky 3-1; Rickea Jackson knee injury

The Chicago Sky opened the 2026 WNBA season by winning three of four road games, but the team left Minneapolis waiting on Rickea Jackson’s left-knee tests. WTTW, citing the Associated Press, reported on May 18 that Jackson suffered a non-contact injury in the second quarter of Chicago’s win over the Minnesota Lynx and was set to undergo imaging on Monday. The Sky finished the road trip 3-1 and return home to face Dallas on Wednesday. Coach Tyler Marsh said after the game that Jackson was “in decent spirits” as the team awaited further evaluation. ### How did the injury happen in Chicago’s win over Minnesota? Sunday’s game in Minneapolis turned in the second quarter when Jackson went down with what multiple reports described as a non-contact injury to her left knee. WTTW and other outlets carrying the AP report said Jackson was injured during the win over Minnesota and did not return. The concern was immediate because the play did not involve visible contact before she fell. (news.wttw.com) The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Jackson had to be helped off the floor after suffering the injury. Sports Injury Central said the play occurred with 5:24 remaining in the second quarter, when Jackson appeared to plant awkwardly on her left leg while driving to the basket. ### What did Tyler Marsh say after the game? (news.wttw.com) Tyler Marsh told reporters after the game that Jackson was “in decent spirits,” according to WTTW’s May 18 report. Marsh said the team was waiting to evaluate everything, adding that Jackson was proud of the group for continuing to fight after she left the floor. (chicago.suntimes.com) Monday’s next step was imaging, according to the same report. As of the latest available coverage surfaced in this search, no official diagnosis or timetable had been publicly detailed beyond the plan for further evaluation. ### Why does the injury matter so much for this roster? Rickea Jackson had been one of Chicago’s early bright spots before the injury. (news.wttw.com) WTTW’s report said the 6-foot-2 forward was acquired by the Sky in the offseason in a trade with Los Angeles, and the injury came as Chicago was building momentum on its opening trip. The early results made the timing more notable. WTTW and AP reported that Chicago went 3-1 on the season-opening road swing, a start that put the Sky among the league’s early surprises. The same report said Chicago would come home after wins that gave the team a strong opening-week record, even as attention shifted to Jackson’s status. (sfexaminer.com) ### What comes next for the Sky this week? Wednesday is Chicago’s next scheduled game, with the Sky set to host Dallas after returning from the four-game trip. WTTW’s May 18 report said additional health updates were expected later in the week as the team reviewed Jackson’s imaging results. For now, the known facts are limited to the record, the mechanism of injury and the immediate medical plan. (news.wttw.com) Chicago’s next public milestone is the home opener stretch beginning with Dallas on Wednesday, when Marsh and the Sky could provide a fuller update on Jackson’s condition.