Chicago Sky land rising star Rickea Jackson from LA Sparks in a trade for Ariel Atkins

The Chicago Sky acquired Rickea Jackson from the Los Angeles Sparks for Ariel Atkins on Sunday.

Jackson was the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season.

“It’s thrilling to acquire one of the great young talents in this league in Jackson,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “Rickea is only going to continue to ascend, and the organization is excited to witness that growth firsthand.”

It was a difficult offseason for Jackson when her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons player James Pearce, was arrested and charged in a domestic dispute incident in February.

The Sky had given Atkins the franchise tag earlier this week. Chicago originally acquired her last February and she averaged 13.1 points in 34 games last season.

“Ariel is a proven winner and one of the most respected two-way guards in this league,” Sparks GM Raegan Pebley said. “She’s a champion, an elite defender and someone who understands what it takes to win in big moments. Her professionalism, competitiveness and versatility make her a perfect fit for our franchise and a key piece in our pursuit of a championship.”

It's been a busy week for the Sky. The team signed Skylar Diggins on Saturday, the first day a team could officially add free agents. Chicago also brought back forward Azura Stevens, who helped the franchise win a title in 2021.

The Sky re-signed center Elizabeth Williams, who has been with the team since 2023. She averaged 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds last season, appearing in 43 games with 15 starts.

Chicago also re-signed guard Courtney Vandersloot to a multiyear deal. Vandersloot tore her ACL last year in June.

Chicago traded Angel Reese on Monday to Atlanta, moving on from the talented young star.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

FILE - This photo combination shows Los Angeles Sparks' Rickea Jackson, left, July 5, 2025, in Indianapolis and Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins, right, June 28, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, Jessie Alcheh, file)

FILE - This photo combination shows Los Angeles Sparks' Rickea Jackson, left, July 5, 2025, in Indianapolis and Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins, right, June 28, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, Jessie Alcheh, file)

DENVER (AP) — Coach Jared Bednar will not accompany the Colorado Avalanche on their upcoming road trip to western Canada after taking a puck to the face during their game Saturday night.

The team said Sunday that Bednar had facial fractures and a corneal abrasion but is expected to make a full recovery without surgery. Assistants Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol are expected to coach the team in the final two games of the regular season at Edmonton and Calgary in Bednar’s absence.

Bednar was taken to a hospital after being hit with a puck on his right cheek during a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. A team spokesperson said at the time Bednar was fully alert and conscious and went to the hospital for a CT scan and further evaluation.

Bednar was standing behind the Colorado bench when a puck flew off the stick of Knights defenseman Keegan Kolesar, over the boards and hit Bednar with 16:39 left in the third period. He bent over holding the side of his head and was helped to the locker room by a trainer.

Hakstol took over Bednar’s duties for the remainder of the game.

“It’s certainly a little unnerving. It’s scary when the pucks are flying in there,” Pratt said after the game. “It happens all the time, and unfortunate tonight, so it takes a little second to sort of recalibrate and then get back to it.”

Colorado, with 115 points, clinched the top overall seed Thursday night. The playoffs begin next weekend.

Defenseman Josh Manson also left the Vegas game late in the second period with an upper-body injury.

“He’s being evaluated so we’ll see how it is (Sunday),” Pratt said.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, back, confers with players during a timeout in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar looks on from the team box in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)