When the Los Angeles Sparks started their 2025 regular season campaign, they were among the top teams. Majorly, as the team featured a collaboration of Rickea Jackson with scoring phenom Kelsey Plum, who gave 37 points on Day 1. Now, though, that combination is nowhere but in the debates between fans!

It all began when fans and insiders noticed that Jackson had unfollowed the Sparks on both X and Instagram, and notably removed any mention of the team from her social media bio. While that was already a shocking move, Jackson didn’t stop there. She took to her official Twitter account and posted a photo holding a basketball next to her belly. “It’s a girl,” she captioned the image. Her message? A cheeky but clear way to shut down the pregnancy rumors swirling around online. The drama was real, but the pregnancy rumors weren’t.

But, where did these rumors even come from? It all traces back to the Sparks’ season opener against the Minnesota Lynx. Jackson suffered a collision with Alanna Smith and was down for a while before heading to the bench. She later entered concussion protocol and missed multiple games. When she did return briefly against the Atlanta Dream on May 27, she played just 12 minutes and went 0-for-3 from the floor. It was obvious she wasn’t at full strength, and then came the twist.

The Sparks listed her as “NWT” (Not With the Team) due to personal reasons. So what fans assumed was still injury-related suddenly seemed like something more. As she missed two games and hadn’t looked game-ready when she did appear, speculation spiraled, and rumors of pregnancy began to spread. Although the rumors were baseless, it seems they were fueled by Jackson’s high-profile relationship with James Pearce Jr., a football player for the Atlanta Falcons. Majorly, as the couple has been together since their college days at the University of Tennessee, and were recently seen on national TV during the 2025 NFL Draft, where Jackson was shown comforting Pearce when he heard his name called.

But their relationship gained even more attention during a recent ESPN interview. It was when Pearce was asked who his favorite athlete was, he quickly replied, “Rickea Jackson.” And when asked if he’d ever play one-on-one with her, he laughed and dodged the question, saying, “Let’s not talk about that.” So while Pearce was enjoying his moment in the spotlight, Jackson was absent from the court, fueling rumours. So, while the pregnancy claims were false, her distance from the Sparks is not!

But, despite it, all Sparks might still be betting on Rickea Jackson

There’s no denying Rickea Jackson is a major asset for the LA Sparks. Losing a player who can give you 13.4 points per game is never ideal. Sure, her average has dropped to 7.0 points this season, but let’s be real, she’s missed more games than she’s played. But that doesn’t take away from her talent or value on the roster. Even head coach Lynne Roberts acknowledged her importance. “She’s a big part of our organization, our team. She’s taking personal time and we support her and are excited to get her back when she’s ready,” she shared recently.

And with the Sparks sitting at a disappointing 2–6, despite having star power on the roster, you can understand why they’re eager for her return. But what adds to the anticipation is that they’re also riding a rough three-game losing streak, which stings even more after their latest collapse against the Mercury. Notably, LA had an 18-point lead in the first half, only to fall apart with a 7–23 third quarter and hand over the win.

At this point, Jackson’s missed time has cost her a spot in the starting five, but there’s no doubt she’s still a strong contender to help turn things around. The Sparks desperately need help, especially from Jackson, who’s got 99.8 offensive and 102.8 defensive ratings. But the real twist? Jackson just unfollowed the team on social media and removed them from her bio. So now everyone’s wondering: is she distancing herself for good? Are the Sparks about to lose one of their brightest young stars? What’s really going on behind the scenes?