The Los Angeles Sparks are set to receive a massive boost to their lineup as former number 2 overall pick Cameron Brink is set to make her season debut Tuesday night vs. the Aces.
Brink, who has been sidelined for the past 13 months recovering from a left ACL and meniscus tear, is likely to be on a minutes restriction in the contest, but will nevertheless be a welcome sight for Sparks fans.
“It means the world,” Brink told reporters. “I’m just very excited, very humbled by this experience. It’s no easy thing to come back from. Just really excited.”
“It’s great to get in and get reps…My teammates are super supportive, coaching me up. My coaches are super patient. I’m feeling great, just getting the reps that I need to feel comfortable.”
Prior to going down with her injury, the 6’4″ forward was averaging 7.5pts/5.3reb/2.3blk per game as a rookie. LA struggled after losing Brink to injury in 2024, scuffling to an 8-32 record overall, good for worst in the league.
However, offseason addition Kelsey Plum (20.1pts per game), and the continued development of Rickea Jackson (13.6pts per game) have the Sparks riding a 5 game winning streak. That recent surge has the team 1 game back of a playoff spot at the moment.
Adding an elite rim protector like Brink to the equation now makes LA a much more formidable opponent for the back half of the WNBA season.
“She’s been tremendous,” said head coach Lynne Roberts. “It’s hard. The offseason is one thing, but when your teammates are out there and you’re over there doing leg curls, it’s hard. And she’s been a tremendous teammate. I’m really, really proud of her.”
With a win Tuesday, LA would leapfrog the Valkyries for 9th spot, and sit a half game back of the Mystics for the final playoff spot. They’d also close the gap between themselves and the Aces who are separated by only 2 wins at the moment in the Western Conference.
The Sparks and Aces clash at 10pm ET live on NBA TV.
Photo: John Mac. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.