Sparks' Rickea Jackson Addresses Shocking Rumors
Los Angeles Sparks' forward Rickea Jackson returned to game action on May 27, her first appearance since entering concussion protocol on May 18 — following an injury suffered in the Sparks' home-opener against Minnesota.
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The star forward was held scoreless with one rebound in 12 minutes against the Atlanta Dream last Tuesday.
Jackson hasn't played in either of the Sparks' two games since then — both losses to the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury on May 30 and June 1, respectively.
The absence was described as “personal reasons” by head coach Lynne Roberts prior to last Sunday's game, leaving many fans to speculate wild rumors.
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“She’s taking personal time, and we support her," Roberts said postgame. "We’re excited to get her back when she’s ready to be back.”
With a lack of further clarification over the weekend, social media buzzed with potential reasons for the extended absence — from pregnancy rumors to a potential trade request.
Rickea Jackson has unfollowed and took the Los Angeles Sparks out of her bio on Instagram, is she going to leave L.A 👀 pic.twitter.com/8PH0hOeYWE
— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) June 3, 2025
Jackson caught wind of the rumors, dispelling a majority of them online before addressing questions on it at Los Angeles' Tuesday practice.
"#Itsagirl," she captioned a X post.
#Itsagirl 💞💞💞💞 pic.twitter.com/sBN7WnA89i
— RJ👑 (@iamthathooper) June 2, 2025
Jackson practiced with the Sparks on Tuesday and said she expects to play Friday against Dallas Wings, per Edwin Garcia.
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"Personal time is needed," Jackson told the media. "I'm pregnant apparently ... I've never followed the team I play for, since AAU ... I like to follow real people, but rumors are rumors.
"Personal time is personal time," she continued. "If my head [doesn't] feel right, I need personal time."
More Sparks news:
A'ja Wilson Speaks Out on Losing Kelsey Plum to Sparks
Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reacts to Georgia Amoore's ACL Injury
International Legend Reveals Reason For Rejoining LA
Sparks Waive Two Players Ahead of 2025 Season
Sparks’ Cameron Brink Revisits Feeling After Tearing ACL
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.
Ben Geffner is an award-winning sports journalist and current student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. A greater Los Angeles native now with countless years of extensive and dedicated experience — including beat reporting, writing, play-by-play broadcast, television anchoring, podcasting and video production — Ben remains eager to contribute as credentialed media covering the LA Sparks.
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