The Chicago Sky have been fighting an uphill battle, hit hard by injuries that have derailed their momentum and left fans wondering if this season is already slipping away. With six losses in their last 10 games, the team has looked shaky at best. But according to sources close to the situation, a game-changing return might be just around the corner.
Rookie standout Gabriela Jaquez has reportedly been upgraded to questionable on the team’s injury report ahead of their upcoming clash with the Toronto Tempo — and insiders are buzzing that this could be the spark Chicago desperately needs. After being sidelined for the past four games with a knee injury, Jaquez’s potential return is being hailed as a potential turning point for a franchise that has been on the verge of collapse.
The Sky’s injury woes don’t stop there. The team is still without key players Rickea Jackson (out for the season with a torn ACL), DiJonai Carrington, and Courtney Vandersloot, both of whom have yet to take the floor in 2026. One team insider told us, “It’s been brutal. Every night feels like we’re limping in. Getting Gabi back would be huge — not just for the stats, but for the morale.”
Jaquez, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, was on a tear before the injury. In her first six games — all starts — she averaged 28 minutes per night, putting up 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting an impressive 42.9% from the field and 88.5% from the charity stripe. She was the fourth-leading scorer on the team, behind only Jackson, Skylar Diggins, and Kamilla Cardoso.
The UCLA product was part of a historic Bruins draft class that saw six players selected, a record for the program. Jaquez was the second Bruin off the board, and her early production had already turned heads — until the injury put everything on hold.
Now, with the Sky sitting at 4-6 and already on pace to beat last season’s win total of 10 under head coach Tyler Marsh, the stakes couldn’t be higher. One observer close to the team noted, “If Jaquez comes back and picks up where she left off, don’t be surprised if Chicago makes some noise down the stretch. They’ve been written off by a lot of people, but that could change fast.”
Whether she suits up against Toronto remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Sky’s playoff hopes may hinge on when — and how — Gabriela Jaquez returns to the court.
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