Rickea Jackson's Clutch 3-Pointer With 1:41 Left Saves Chicago Sky From Collapse in San Francisco

The Chicago Sky are 2-0 and rolling through the West Coast like a team on a mission. After a sluggish first half that had them down 12, Rickea Jackson locked in when it mattered most, drilling a go-ahead three-pointer with the game on the line to help the Sky escape with a 69-63 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday night in San Francisco.

Jackson's performance was vintage clutch. She saved five of her team-leading 18 points for the final 1:41, including that critical three-pointer after Kaila Charles had gotten the Valkyries within two. Jackson then iced it with two free throws at the 46.7-second mark to push the Sky's lead to seven. This is what a team looks like when it refuses to fold.

A Slow Burn That Heated Up Fast

The Sky looked rough early. Real rough. Just 24 points in the first half and down by as many as 12 points, Chicago looked like they might be in for a long road trip. But the second half told a completely different story. The offense came alive, the Sky built as much as an eight-point lead, and then held on through some desperate final moments from Golden State.

Skylar Diggins orchestrated the comeback with 15 points and a game-high seven assists. Jacy Sheldon added 12 points and three steals, while Kamilla Cardoso dominated on the defensive end with seven rebounds and two blocks. Even shooting just 36.2% from the field and 30% from three, the Sky found a way. Their defense was suffocating, forcing Golden State into just 29.3% shooting and a brutal 26.9% from beyond the arc.

Golden State's Star Power Couldn't Save Them

The Valkyries came in hot, averaging 93 points through their first two wins. Not Wednesday. 2025 All-Star Kayla Thornton went scoreless on 0-for-11 shooting with all three of her three-point attempts clanking off the rim. Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton each scored 18 to keep Golden State close, and Kiah Stokes grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds with five blocks. It wasn't enough.

This is Chicago's second straight road win after beating Portland to open the season. Remember, this is a team that was 10-34 last year. They're proving the new look works. Back-to-back wins away from home against quality opponents is exactly the statement a rebuilding roster needs to make.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.