Rickea Jackson's mother makes emotional plea to WNBA fans amid daughter's health concerns: "Please keep her in your prayers"

Heading into her second season, Rickea Jackson was expected to be a key contributor for the new-look LA Sparks. However, just two games into the season, she finds herself sidelined and in concussion protocol.

Jackson collided with Alanna Smith during a matchup against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. After spending some time on the floor to gather herself, she was helped back to the locker room by teammates and medical staff.

Jackson's mom expressed concern for her daughter and asked fans to pray for the former No. 4 pick's quick recovery.

"Please keep her in your prayers….please keep the health of all of the players in your prayers. What they do is not for the weak…"

Expand Tweet

With Cameron Brink recovering from her ACL injury last year, the Sparks find themselves without both of their top picks from the 2024 draft.

LA Sparks relying on 2025 top-10 pick to fill void left by Rickea Jackson

With Rickea Jackson out of action, the LA Sparks have a void to fill in their starting lineup. In their first game without the standout forward, they called upon rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker to provide a boost.

Barker was included in the starting lineup against the Phoenix Mercury Wednesday, featuring in just her third game after being selected No. 9 in the 2025 draft.

Barker hasn't had much of an impact yet, as she is still finding her footing in the pros. She logged 27 minutes in the Sparks' three-point loss to the Mercury, finishing with two points and four assists on 1-for-7 shooting.

Being in concussion protocol, Rickea Jackson will likely miss a handful of games for LA moving forward. As they continue this stretch without her, there is no telling if Barker will continue to see action in the starting lineup.

While she's struggled out of the gates, these extended minutes will be good for the top-10 pick as she figures out how to be impactful for this team.

About the author

Kevin McCormick is a basketball writer at Sportskeeda with over four years of experience in journalism and a bachelor's degree in Sports Management Marketing from Holy Family University.

Kevin has worked with various notable outlets throughout his career, including 97.3 ESPN, ClutchPoints, Heavy Sports, and Sports Illustrated/FanNation, before joining Sportskeeda in March 2022.

Specializing in NBA and WNBA coverage, Kevin's passion for basketball stems from his hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Among his favorite players are Kevin Durant, Chet Holmgren, and Steph Curry, while his all-time favorites include Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Kevin holds Coach K in high regard for the large input he's had on the game helping mold players across multiple generations. Kevin believes the iconic rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson helped elevate the league to its current status.

Through his writing, Kevin provides in-depth analysis and insights into player and coach quotes. He prioritizes sourcing information from credible and reliable outlets.

Kevin enjoys reading, aiming to finish at least one book per month, and he is a big fan of music.

Know More

Edited by Kevin McCormick