SAN FRANCISCO — Rickea Jackson scored 18 points, knocking down a 3-pointer with 1:41 remaining to help clinch it, and Skylar Diggins added 15 points as the Chicago Sky beat the Golden State Valkyries 69-63 on Wednesday night.
Gabby Williams had 18 points and five rebounds for the Valkyries, who led by 12 early but couldn’t overcome a cold night on offense — 22 of 75 (29.3%), including 7 of 26 from 3-point range.
It wasn’t just the Valkyries missing. The low-scoring game was a defensive battle in which both teams struggled to get open looks.
Kayla Thornton missed all 11 of her shots in a rare off night after she scored 19 points in the Valkyries’ 95-79 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in their home opener Sunday.
After Veronica Burton’s 3-pointer with 6:03 left tied the score at 54, Jacy Sheldon immediately answered from deep for the Sky on the other end.
Sheldon also converted a layup with 23 seconds left and wound up with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Sky as they continue a four-game trip to start the season after winning their opener 98-83 on Saturday in Portland. Diggins added five rebounds and seven assists.
Burton finished with 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting for the Valkyries (2-1).
In a friendly reunion, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase faced off against longtime pal and Sky coach Tyler Marsh after they worked together as assistants for the Las Vegas Aces on Becky Hammon’s staff before departing to accept their respective head coaching jobs.
The Valkyries jumped ahead 19-7 despite starting 8-for-22 as the Sky began 3 of 13 and missed their first 10 3-point attempts, falling behind 28-24 at the break.
The Valkyries sold out all 22 of their home games in their inaugural season last year and have done so in the first two games at 18,064-capacity Chase Center in 2026.
Up next
Sky: Visit the Mercury on Friday night in Phoenix.
Valkyries: Have a prolonged stretch without a game before visiting the New York Liberty on May 21.
