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WNBA Star Rickea Jackson Reacts to Pregnancy Rumors Amid Absence From Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
On Sunday, the L.A. Sparks suffered a difficult loss to the Phoenix Mercury, a game that L.A. led by 18 points before crumbling in the third quarter and going on to lose, 85-80 at home. Odyssey Sims kept the Sparks afloat with 32 points, but it was not enough for a team that shot 6-for-30 (20%) in the second half.
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Notable for her absence in that game: second-year star guard Rickea Jackson, who was out for what were labeled “personal reasons.” Because Jackson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, has been having a notably muted season, there was immediate speculation about what, exactly, was going on in L.A.
Jackson was an outstanding rookie last year, averaging 13.4 points on 45.6% shooting, one of the bright spots of the Sparks’ rebuild. But after the Sparks overhauled the roster, most notably bringing in point guard Kelsey Plum from the Aces, her performance has sagged.
Sparks star Rickea JacksonMandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
She has played only three games, and averaged 7.3 points on 31.0% shooting. Social media sleuths began circulating an unfounded rumor that she is pregnant.
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Jackson, to her credit, took the rumor in stride and offered a hilarious response. She wrote on Twitter/X, “#Itsagirl” to caption a photo of her holding a basketball against her stomach as though she is pregnant.
Jackson made it clear that anyone claiming to be her “friend” on social media, and offering spreading information about her is not to be trusted. She also joked that she is more of an aunt than a mom.
She wrote: “1. My friends don’t use twitter. Yall gotta stop linking people because of a follow
“2. Yall come to conclusions everyday it’s hilarious, but I’m a ‘rich auntie’ typa gallll.”
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Sparks coach Lynne Roberts spoke about Jackson after Sunday’s loss.
“In regards to Rickea, Rickea is a big part of our organization and our team,” Roberts said. “She is taking personal time and we support her. And we’re excited to get her back when she is ready to come back.”
The Sparks are just 2-6 but will have four days off before their next game, which will come against the Dallas Wings on Friday in Texas.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
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