The Chicago Sky opened their 2026 campaign with a 2-0 start, including road victories over the Golden State Valkyries and the Minnesota Lynx. However, the momentum was abruptly halted on May 19 when the team confirmed that forward Rickea Jackson suffered a torn ACL, sidelining her for the remainder of the season.
While the injury news has dominated headlines, the broader discourse surrounding the Chicago Sky remains tethered to the massive star power of Angel Reese. On Planet Money, Emma Peaslee noted the overwhelming public interest, pointing out that "when Angel Reese's first preseason game with the Chicago Sky wasn't televised, a fan streamed the game from their phone, and it got 500,000 views."
The focus now shifts to the Chicago Sky home opener against the Dallas Wings. Without Rickea Jackson, the team faces an immediate rotation challenge, testing whether their early-season chemistry can withstand the loss of a key contributor.
