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Watch: Sparks rookie fights back tears on team bench after loss vs. Mystics
LA Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson was visibly emotional after her team lost to the Washington Mystics 80-74. The young guard's Friday night had ups and downs. She started on a high note, scoring 16 points in the first half, but decreased her production in the second half.
The video shared by X user @__lovelani shows Jackson being consoled by a Sparks staffer while she covered her face with her hands and then a white towel.
Jackson only scored one more point for the rest of the game after attempting only three field goals in the second half. She still led the Sparks with 17 points — teammates Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens and Odyssey Sims were the other best scorers with nine points each.
The Sparks started the game losing the first quarter by one point. They bounced back in the second quarter and went into halftime up four points with the score 20-16.
The Mystics won the next two periods, 16-14 and 26-19, respectively, to snap their five-game skid and get the seventh win of the 2024 WNBA season. Jackson played 33 minutes and shot 6-for-11 from the field, 3-for-5 from deep and 2-for-3 from the free-throw line.
This result marked the 23rd loss of the season for the Sparks against six wins. They weren't expected to be competitive this season, not even with the addition of Jackson and Cameron Brink.
Rickea Jackson's teammate, LA Sparks star Dearica Hamby clapped back at one fan criticizing recent performances
Rickea Jackson wasn't the only Spark to have an off-game or half. Teammate Dearica Hamby didn't have the best restart to the season, which didn't sit well with some fans. After she posted some pictures on her Instagram page, one fan noted that she hadn't been her best lately.
"You look great, but what’s going on? You’re not hooping like you’re due to," the fan commented underneath the post.
The forward replied:
“Chilllllllll. That’s what averages are for. lol. I can’t have a few off games?? 🙄🙄"
Hamby is having the best season of her career, becoming a strong candidate to win the Most Improved Player of the Year award with her 17.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Los Angeles still has some work to do to become relevant again, but having players like Hamby, Jackson and Brink on the roster should bring hope to fans.
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