Cameron Brink entered the W with a promise to bring some much‑needed spark back to Los Angeles. They drafted her No. 2 overall in 2024. She was slotted right between the Fever picking Caitlin Clark at No. 1 and the Sky grabbing Kamilla Cardoso at No. 3. With the way Clark and Cardoso’s rookie campaigns have unfolded, Brink was surely destined to carve out her own loud breakout. And early on, she even showed why.
She flashed some real two‑way potential, despite the limited action. Cameron Brink averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. For a rookie still finding her footing, those numbers hinted at a budding all‑around threat. Moreover, Brink’s arrival coincided with a major reset: Lynne Roberts stepped in as the new head coach for LA.
On paper, it felt like the start of something huge. Reality, though, hit hard. The Sparks ended the season at the bottom of the standings. It could be largely because Cameron Brink suited up for only 15 games before a season‑ending injury derailed her debut year. So, what went wrong, and where does Brink (and this franchise) stand right now? Let’s dig in…
What Had Happened to Cameron Brink?
A short recap: In a 2024 matchup vs. the Sun, Cameron Brink’s rookie season (and much more) came to a screeching halt. The 22-year-old had torn the ACL in her left knee. That sidelined her not only for the rest of the Sparks’ season but also cost her a spot at the Paris Olympics. The team initially promised updates, but ESPN soon confirmed what fans feared: Brink would miss the entire year. That one injury has now kept her off the court for over 13 months.
Shortly after the diagnosis, Cameron Brink opened up on Instagram: “You never think it will happen to you. And despite all the hard work, sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom, but I know it will only make me stronger.” The Stanford alum added, “I will not be derailed, and I will continue to love this life. I’m not defined by basketball, but it is something I love deeply, and I will work every day to get back to it.” Now, that day might finally be here…
Is Cameron Brink About to Make Her WNBA Comeback?
Until recently, Cameron Brink updates from the Sparks were limited to post-surgery notes and recovery statuses. Dr. Ramkumar performed a surgical procedure on Brink. He removed damaged fragments from her torn ACL and replaced them with a graft made of soft tissue. From there, she began what was estimated to be a nine-month healing and rehabilitation process. She started making steady progress along the way.
The most promising update came just three days ago through a video. A clip of Cameron Brink surfaced on X, showing Brink deep into rehab. “#Sparks’ Cameron Brink engaging in what looks like pretty strenuous quad extensions on the left side, where she tore her ACL and meniscus,” reporter Ira Gorawara wrote on X. After that, Cameron Brink hit the Barclays Center practice court for a 20-minute workout. More optimistic signs followed that update.
An update on Los Angeles Sparks Cam Brink:
-Coach Lynne Roberts said Brink won’t play against NYL on Saturday night, but Brink is nearing a return.
-“I’m cleared. It’s just getting reps at this point. Just getting back up to speed with everybody,” Brink told reporters Sat
— Ben Pickman (@benpickman) July 26, 2025
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts had already noted that Brink wouldn’t suit up against the New York Liberty on Saturday night, but she confirmed her return was close. Moreover, Cameron Brink herself sounded optimistic: “I’m cleared. It’s just getting reps at this point. Just getting back up to speed with everybody,” she told reporters Saturday. “Really excited to be able to just go out there and do what I love,” she added. However, what does a midseason return, after a break this long, mean for Los Angeles?
Will Cameron Brink Fit Right In?
The Sparks have been on a victory streak. Just a few weeks ago, their record sat at 6–14. But after that gut‑check loss to the league‑leading Lynx, something changed. Since then, Los Angeles has bagged five straight wins. And their latest came in a dramatic way; it was a two‑point nail‑biter over Sabrina Ionescu’s Liberty on New York’s home floor. A win is a win, and suddenly the Sparks are trending upward.
So, where does Cameron Brink fit into this surge? Head coach Lynne Roberts acknowledged the challenge of her midseason return: “It’s hard to come in midseason, and then you add the mental aspect that every athlete struggles with being out that long,” she said. Cameron Brink herself knows the climb won’t be instant, but she is both realistic and optimistic. “It’s a little nerve‑wracking for sure. I’m just really going to try to be patient with myself because I’m definitely not where I was last year,” she admitted. “It’s still a work in progress, but yeah, just thankful for the fans. Really excited to be able to just go out there and do what I love.”
If her words are any indication, the Sparks might be about to get the overall spark they’ve been waiting for.
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