Rickea Jackson’s Clutch 3-Pointer Seals Win for Chicago Sky
Rickea Jackson sank a decisive 3-pointer with 1:41 remaining and finished with a team-high 18 points as the Chicago Sky defeated the Golden State Valkyries 69-63 on Wednesday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. The victory improved the Sky to 2-0 to start the 2026 WNBA season, both wins coming on the road.
Jackson, who saved five of her points for the final 1:41, also added two free throws with 46.7 seconds left to push Chicago’s lead to 65-58. The Sky withstood a late rally from the Valkyries, who had cut the deficit to 60-58 on a driving hoop by Kaila Charles before Jackson’s critical shot.
Skylar Diggins contributed 15 points and a game-high seven assists, while Jacy Sheldon added 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists for Chicago. Kamilla Cardoso anchored the defense with seven rebounds and two blocks.
Defensive Battle Defines Low-Scoring Affair
The Sky shot just 36.2% from the field, including 6-for-20 (30%) from beyond the arc and 13-for-21 (61.9%) at the free-throw line. However, Chicago’s defense forced the Valkyries into a miserable 29.3% shooting night (22-of-75) and 26.9% from three-point range (7-of-26).
Golden State (2-1) had averaged 93 points in its first two games, but the Sky disrupted their rhythm with a swarming defense that blocked several shots—Jackson and Diggins each had two blocks. Gabby Williams tied Jackson with 18 points for the Valkyries, and Veronica Burton added 16 points, but 2025 All-Star Kayla Thornton had an off night, missing all 11 of her shots and all three of her 3-point attempts.
From 10-34 to 2-0: Sky’s Remarkable Turnaround
The Chicago Sky finished last season with a 10-34 record, the worst in the league. Just two games into the new campaign, they already have two road wins—a 98-83 victory over the Portland expansion team on Saturday followed by Wednesday’s defensive grind. The Sky trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, scoring only 24 points before halftime, but they outscored the Valkyries 45-35 in the second half.
New head coach Tyler Marsh, who previously worked as an assistant under Becky Hammon with the Las Vegas Aces, has instilled a defensive identity that has already paid dividends. The Sky’s ability to win games in different ways—scoring efficiently in Portland and grinding out a low-possession battle in San Francisco—signals a more resilient group.
Jackson’s Role Expands in Chicago
Jackson, a key acquisition for the Sky this offseason, has been at the center of the turnaround. She is averaging 18 points per game through two contests and has shown a knack for delivering in high-pressure moments. Her late 3-pointer against the Valkyries was her first make in five attempts from deep, but it came when her team needed it most.
Betting markets have taken notice. In a recent WNBA betting preview, Jackson was listed as a strong candidate to go OVER 17.5 points in Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Lynx, reflecting her elevated role in Chicago’s offense. The Sky are set to visit the Phoenix Mercury on Friday before returning home.
Broader Implications: A Resurgent Sky and a Competitive Western Conference
Chicago’s early success is part of a larger shift in the WNBA landscape. The Sky were widely expected to struggle after a dismal 2025, but their 2-0 start against two expansion teams—Portland and Golden State—has already raised expectations. The Valkyries, meanwhile, proved in their first two games that they are a legitimate threat, scoring 95 and 93 points in wins over Phoenix and Los Angeles. Wednesday’s loss was their first of the season, and they will look to rebound when they visit New York next Thursday.
The Golden State Valkyries sold out all 22 home games for their inaugural season and have continued that streak in 2026, with both games at 18,064-capacity Chase Center drawing full houses. The league’s expansion has added depth, and early-season matchups like this one offer a glimpse of how the new teams will stack up.
In the broader context of WNBA parity, the Sky’s turnaround could mirror the trajectory of other franchises that rebuilt through defense and veteran leadership. The Valkyries, coached by Natalie Nakase—a former Aces assistant alongside Marsh—are still finding their footing but have shown flashes of brilliance.
As the season unfolds, storylines like Jackson’s emergence and the Sky’s resilience will be key to watch. If Chicago continues to sting on defense and Jackson keeps delivering in clutch moments, they could emerge as a dark horse in a competitive league.
For more on the WNBA season, check out our coverage of Roland Garros 2026 and other sports news.
The Sky face the Phoenix Mercury on Friday at 10 p.m. ET, while the Valkyries host the New York Liberty next Thursday.
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