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Rickea Jackson Lost for Season as Sky Pivot to Natasha Cloud and Short-Term Roster Moves

The torn ACL removes Chicago’s leading scorer and creates an immediate roster crisis requiring short-term signings, accelerated rehabs and lineup shifts

Overview

  • Rickea Jackson tore her left ACL on Sunday, May 17, the Sky confirmed May 19, and she will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
  • Chicago opened its home slate with a 99-89 loss to the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, a game where Jackson’s absence was widely felt and Jessica Shepard recorded a triple-double.
  • Veteran point guard Natasha Cloud signed a one-year deal with Chicago in early May and has provided an immediate boost, averaging about 8 points and nearly 5 assists while anchoring perimeter defense.
  • With only two active players taller than 6 feet and other starters—Azurá Stevens, Courtney Vandersloot and DiJonai Carrington—still rehabbing, the Sky are exploring hardship contracts and using development players to plug gaps.
  • The loss tightens pressure on GM Jeff Pagliocca and coach Tyler Marsh to balance quick roster fixes and careful rehab timelines, with the team’s short-term competitiveness hinging on who returns and any emergency signings.