“I felt like I got more confident.” Rickea Jackson’s stint in the Unrivalled instilled her with newfound confidence even before she stepped into her first regular season as a pro. With an average of 13.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game during her rookie season with the Los Angeles Sparks, RJ earned a third spot in the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team after Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

So, RJ and the Sparks were prepared to welcome the new expansion team on the block, the Golden State Valkyries, at the Chase Center with an impeccable performance on May 17, 2025. The sold-out arena of approximately 18,000 spectators included the Warriors’ coach, Steve Kerr, who was present in support of Valkyrie’s debut match.

What followed next was nothing short of a spectacle. The audience saw Kelsey Plum steal the show with a thunderous performance and 37 points under her belt. Her historic run propelled the Sparks into a monumental 84–67 victory at the season opener. On the other hand, Rickea Jackson scored an average of 10.5 points, four rebounds, and two assists within 29.1 minutes. As a standout forward, her aggressive scoring prowess has been crucial for the team’s success so far.

The Sparks’ win in the opener set the stage for what could become a fiery West Coast rivalry with the Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest team. The Valkyries, coached by Natalie Nakase, the league’s first Asian American head coach, showed flashes of potential despite the loss, keeping the game close until the fourth quarter before falling 84-67. Their defense, a focal point during training camp, helped them stay competitive early on. For the Sparks, that victory was a statement, but without Jackson tonight, they’ll need to dig deep to repeat the magic.

Having said that, it will be exciting to watch the two teams lock horns again on Friday, May 23, 2025. While Valkyries had a promising run in the season opener last week, will they be able to avenge the loss or succumb to Sparks once again? That remains to be seen. Let us examine which players will sit out the match owing to sustained injuries in both the rosters.

Injury Report: Los Angeles Sparks vs Golden State Valkyries

Unfortunately, Jackson will not be playing in today’s match against the Golden State Valkyries. She has been sidelined from the season matches, following a concussion protocol. As a saving grace for the team’s roster ever since her induction last season, Jackson’s latest injury comes as a huge blow to the LA Sparks. Official Underdog WNBA took to X (former Twitter) to announce her absence in today’s match. They captioned the post with, “Rickea Jackson (concussion protocol) ruled out for Friday.”

The WNBA’s concussion protocol, designed to protect player health, requires a multi-step evaluation process, including symptom resolution, neurological testing, and medical clearance, before a return to play. This careful approach means Jackson’s status remains day-to-day, keeping fans and the Sparks holding their breath. Her absence forces the team to adjust their strategy, especially against a Valkyries squad built on interior defense and perimeter pressure.

This made the fans and analysts spiral into a frenzy. As Jackson is declared out under a day-to-day, she isn’t the only player to miss the game. Other players including Cameron Brink and Rae Burrell will also have to sit out the match today. Burrell went ungraded during the season opener as she suffered a right leg injury minutes into the season opener and is expected to sit out for approximately six to eight weeks.

On the other hand, Brink suffered an ACL tear last season and is expected to return somewhere in June, as per ESPN’s Holly Rowe. Meanwhile, as a number three team on the WNBA defence rankings, the Golden State Valkyries boasts of a healthy roster that is revamped and set to charge against the LA Sparks tonight under Natalie Nakase’s coaching.

Coming back to LA, while Jackson and Burell’s lingering absence loomed heavy on the Sparks as they lost the second match 89–75 to Minnesota Lynx on May 18, 2025, the team’s head coach Lynne Roberts recently signed Liatu King, a third overall pick during the 2025 WNBA draft. King averaged 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game during her graduate year at the Notre Dame. Despite being waived off a week ago, she was signed on a hardship deal. According to the terms of the contract, once Rae Burrell returns, King will be released from the deal.

Talking about Jackson, Roberts applauds her smooth transition from college to the pros. “She makes hard things look really easy … she makes things look effortless, and I know they’re not,” the HC said about RJ. And while the entire locker room waits for the rising star to join the upcoming matches soon, it will exciting how the Sparks show up against the Valkyries in the second face-off. And with King on the roster, Roberts has secured her chances of winning. But will they clinch the victory? It is too soon to tell.

As the Sparks gear up for tonight’s clash, the absence of Jackson’s scoring and playmaking puts extra pressure on Kelsey Plum to repeat her season-opener heroics. But the Valkyries, hungry for revenge after their debut loss, are ready to pounce. “We did it day one in camp. Killers. That’s our identity,” head coach Natalie Nakase said earlier, underscoring their defensive mindset. With the Chase Center crowd behind them, the Valkyries aim to make a statement, while the Sparks hope their grit and new faces like King can keep them in the fight. It’s shaping up to be a thrilling showdown.