"Low blow, better watch your back": LA Sparks coach Curt Miller and rookie Rickea Jackson indulge in hilarious banter on IG

LA Sparks coach Curt Miller is at the Paris Olympics working as an assistant coach for Team USA. Watching the games back in the United States, Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson poked fun at Miller, who was getting interviewed during Team USA’s quarterfinal game versus Nigeria.

In an Instagram story, Jackson playfully made fun of Miller’s height, which triggered a banter between the Sparks coach and his rookie.

“How long did they have to lower that camera?” said Jackson in the IG story.

Rickea Jackson's IG story

Miller then responded to Jackson, reposting the story to start the banter between the two LA Sparks cornerstones.

“Low blow @rickea…better watch your back when I come back,” said Miller after being tagged in the previous story.

Curt Miller's IG story response

Jackson then responded with six crying emojis in response to Miller, ending the banter.

Rickea Jackson's response

The Sparks’ tactician picked Jackson fourth overall in the 2024 WNBA draft and has since developed a friendship with one of his upcoming stars during her few months in the professional league.

Miller has been the Sparks’ head coach since 2023. Along with Jackson, he picked Cameron Brink as the second overall pick in this year’s draft, creating a foundation for the team for years to come.

Curt Miller leans on Rickea Jackson as LA Sparks struggle with injuries this season

The LA Sparks have been struggling to find their footing this season as injuries pile up with key players. The Sparks have suffered with the loss of guard Lexie Brown to illness, Layshia Clarendon to concussion, and rookie Cameron Brink to a torn ACL.

Miller addressed how he would deal with these injuries for the rest of the season, tapping on young players such as Rickea Jackson to prove their place with the team.

“The unintended consequences of injuries and illness is what I’m always going to stick to — it’s what my career has been defined by as a head coach,” Miller told reporters last month.

“Rickea has been a part of the unintended consequences since day one…As we got into some games after the initial knowing she was going to have to provide us some depth in the post, we've really morphed into Rickea playing primarily a large percentage at the three,” he added.

Hovering in the small and power forward positions as injuries persist for the Sparks, Jackson has proved that she can hang with the top forwards in the WNBA. She was averaging 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists before the league went on an Olympic break.

The Sparks are 6-18 and out of the playoff picture. However, with their current standing, they could add another upcoming star on their roster through next year’s draft.