Rickea Jackson Carries Kelsey Plum Away Like a Child to Stop Fight With Kia Nurse in Wild Sparks vs. Sky Game

In one of the most unexpected and hilarious moments of the WNBA season, Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson stole the spotlight—not with a buzzer-beater, but with a playful and surprisingly tactical move to deescalate an on-court altercation.

During Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky, tensions flared in the fourth quarter, but it was Rickea Jackson’s spontaneous, motherly instinct that turned a potential fight into a viral moment.

Fourth-Quarter Tensions Boil Over

With just minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Sparks trailing by 11 points, frustration was clearly building. Sparks guard Kelsey Plum was battling for possession while defending Ariel Atkins. Kia Nurse of the Sky then aggressively intervened, trying to strip the ball from Plum’s hands.

What started as a routine possession quickly spiraled into a physical tug-of-war.

Within seconds, the two players were in a heated face-off, and the tension on the court escalated fast. A full-on scuffle felt imminent.

Rickea Jackson to the Rescue – Literally

Enter Rickea Jackson.

Like a big sister stopping a tantrum, Jackson approached the chaos, wrapped her arms around Plum’s waist from behind, and physically lifted her off the ground, pulling her out of the confrontation. Yes—she literally carried her teammate away.

Fans were left in shock—and laughter.

The video clip instantly went viral on social media. Within hours, “Rickea Jackson” was trending on X (formerly Twitter), with fans reacting to the unexpected moment of comic relief in an otherwise heated game.

“Rickea Jackson just picked her up like a toddler at Target. I can’t stop laughing.”
– A top comment with 20k+ likes

Funny, But Smart

While it was easy to laugh at the scene, Jackson’s decision was far from silly. It was strategic.

In high-pressure moments like these, even minor physical altercations can lead to technical fouls or ejections—especially in a league that’s been under scrutiny for player conduct this season.

By quickly removing Plum from the confrontation, Jackson not only prevented a potential fight but likely saved her team from further penalties.

Plum & Jackson Speak Out

When asked about the now-viral incident postgame, Jackson laughed and told reporters:

“I know Kelsey’s a fighter, but I had to be the fire extinguisher today.”

Kelsey Plum responded with a smirk:

“I was just trying to hold onto the ball, and next thing I knew—I was flying.”

Sparks Fall Again Despite Plum’s 22 Points

Despite the light-hearted moment, the Sparks once again came up short.

Angel Reese posted an impressive double-double with 24 points and 16 rebounds for the Sky, while Ariel Atkins added 20. Their efforts led Chicago to a 92–85 win, improving their season record to 5–11.

Kelsey Plum led the Sparks with 22 points, while Rickea Jackson added 6. But the loss dropped L.A. to 5–12 on the season—including a troubling 1–8 record at home.

The Sky, now just 2.5 games behind the Mystics for the final playoff spot, may be finding momentum at the right time.

Rickea Jackson’s True Value Goes Beyond the Box Score

Jackson may not have dominated the stat sheet, but her impact was felt. Not just as a forward—but as a leader, protector, and calming presence.

While still early in her WNBA journey, the former Tennessee star is proving she brings more than points to the floor. She’s becoming the type of player every team needs: the one who holds it together when everything seems to fall apart.

Kelsey Plum Continues to Lead in the Fire

Plum, now in her eighth WNBA season, continues to play with passion and tenacity. Her 22-point outing was the highest for her team on Sunday, and even though her fire occasionally ignites friction, it’s also what fuels Sparks’ best moments.

That passion—tempered by teammates like Jackson—could still be the key to salvaging this difficult season.

What’s Next for the Sparks? A Showdown With New York

The Sparks will try to get back on track Thursday night as they head to New York for a short two-game road trip against the Liberty.

This will be the first of three regular-season matchups between the two teams, with the next game scheduled for July 26 at the Barclays Center.

With their playoff hopes still flickering, Sparks desperately need a win. And they’ll need both Jackson’s leadership and Plum’s scoring to make that happen.

Social Media Can’t Get Enough of the Viral Carry

If Sunday’s game proved anything, it’s that the WNBA is not lacking in unforgettable moments.

Within minutes of the clip airing on ESPN, social media exploded:

TikTok: Dozens of edits of Jackson lifting Plum to the tune of lullabies or dramatic music.

Twitter/X: Comparisons to “mom grabbing the kid out of the birthday party fight.”

Instagram: Meme accounts flooded with captions like “Get in the car. We’re going home.”

It’s rare for a moment of humor to also be a moment of high basketball IQ, but Jackson pulled it off.

A Light in a Tough Season

In a season filled with frustration, the Sparks needed something—anything—to rally around. And oddly enough, that “something” might just be Rickea Jackson’s instinctive, hilarious reaction to keep her teammate out of trouble.

More than just a meme, the moment revealed what fans love most about basketball: real emotion, real chemistry, and real leadership.

Final Thoughts

The Sparks may not be winning games right now, but Sunday proved they’re still winning the hearts of fans. Rickea Jackson didn’t just carry a teammate—she carried the conversation, flipped the narrative, and reminded everyone why we love this sport.

Her decision to step in, quite literally, prevented what could’ve been a far more negative headline for the Sparks. Instead, the team walks away from this game with a viral clip, a bit of team bonding—and hopefully, a spark to turn things around.

Because sometimes, being a hero doesn’t mean hitting the game-winner.

Sometimes, it just means carrying your teammate away before she throws hands.