LOS ANGELES — Sparks forward Cameron Brink exclusively told the Southern California News Group that she will make her long-awaited return to the court in a game against the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. It will be Brink’s first game since being cleared from a 13-month recovery process for a season-ending knee injury (torn ACL and meniscus) in June 2024.
“I don’t know if I can say that, but yeah,” the former Stanford star said after Monday’s practice].
The Sparks (11-14) have the longest current winning streak in the WNBA at five games, including a 101-99 victory over the New York Liberty on a Rickea Jackson buzzer-beater on Saturday. However, the addition of Brink, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 draft, would mean for the first time this season, all 11 players on the roster are healthy, active, available and ready to play.
“It means the world,” Brink said. “I’m just very excited, very humbled by this experience. It’s not an easy thing to come back from, so just really excited.”
Brink was a full participant in the Sparks’ practice on Monday at Crypto.com Arena, which ended with the 6-foot-4 forward making a half-court shot, followed by a jubilant celebration that saw the second-year player jump for joy and then sprint around the court in pure bliss.
“It’s just great to get in and get reps,” Brink continued. “My teammates are super supportive, coaching me up. The coaches are super patient, so I’m feeling great just getting the reps that I need to feel comfortable.”
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said she’s looking forward to adding Brink back into the team’s rotation.
“It’s great,” Roberts said. “Not to put too much pressure on Cam’s impact right now. I want her to come out and I told her look around, smell the popcorn, like you made it back and that’s the accomplishment. Just be in the moment and not worry too much about missing a layup. Just be in the moment. Play with gratitude and joy, but to your point, July 29th, we’ll have all 11 players healthy, and praise God.”
“She’ll be a better player because of this and it sucks that you have to go through it,” Roberts continued. “You don’t wish it on any player, but I think it helps you, just what you learn in that adversity.”
Brink said she has learned a lot about patience during her year-long recovery.
Stanford Cardinal’s Cameron Brink (22) grabs a rebound against Iowa State Cyclones’ Arianna Jackson (2) in the second quarter during the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, Calif., on Sunday, March 24, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
“I’m not a very patient person if you know me, so this whole process has taught me a lot,” Brink explained. “I keep saying this, but it’s all the people in my corner that are helping so much with all of this. If I didn’t have my village, I’d be nowhere.”
Brink also shared what she wants to bring to the team once she’s back on the court.
“Just a great attitude,” Brink continued. “Great energy. I always say my energy is my currency, so just being a really great teammate. I think we’ve been winning because we’re having a lot of fun, so just bringing that every day.”
In her first game back, she’s looking to lean on her defensive abilities. She averaged 2.3 blocked shots per game as a rookie, which was second in the league.
“I feel like my defense has always been something that I’ve leaned on so probably I would say defense,” Brink said. “But giving myself patience on offense, knowing that it will come eventually, but both will need some work for sure.”
“I think she looks at our defense and thinks I can do this,” Roberts added. “I can step in and make an impact and that’s what I’m telling her to focus on. The offense will come. In our offense, shots will find you, just help us defensively, knowing she’s back there will allow us to be a little more aggressive.”
The Sparks have momentum following the All-Star break, coming off a 3-0 road trip that has them sitting just one game out of a playoff spot. A postseason berth would end the franchise’s record-long playoff drought, which dates to 2021.
“Our goal coming into the season was not to win five games in a row,” Roberts said. “The goal coming into the season was to make the playoffs and we’ve done a good job, and winning five in a row helps us get one step closer. But the job is not done and so we’ve got to stay hungry and stay focused and continue to play that underdog role.”
The Sparks are 1-1 against the Aces this season, including a 97-89 win in Las Vegas on June 11.
The Aces are coming off a 106-80 victory over the Dallas Wings on Sunday. All-Star guard Jackie Young had a game-high 24 points. Jewell Loyd added 20 points off the bench. A’ja Wilson was on triple-double watch with 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Breaking: LA Sparks star forward Cameron Brink told me she is planning to play against the Las Vegas Aces tommorow night. pic.twitter.com/DoGh6S6goK
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 28, 2025
Cameron Brink is back. Here’s the halfcourt short and celebration to prove it. pic.twitter.com/ZaOTp6F3sN
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 28, 2025
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts on Cameron Brink’s availability against the Las Vegas Aces. Coach Roberts said she’s been told Brink is going to play Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/USIBYZKtYt
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 28, 2025