Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink suffered a significant setback as she tore the ACL in her left knee during a recent game against the Connecticut Sun. The injury occurred in the first quarter of the game, forcing Brink to be assisted off the court. Prior to the injury, Brink had played under four minutes and committed one foul.
Following the incident, Brink was visibly in pain and had to be carried to the locker room by Sparks personnel. The 22-year-old forward had been making an impact for the team, averaging 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in her debut season with Los Angeles.
Head coach Curt Miller expressed his disappointment at losing a key player to injury, emphasizing the need for the team to regroup and support each other in Brink's absence. Brink's injury also has implications for her participation in the upcoming Paris Olympics as part of the U.S. 3x3 team, requiring a replacement to be named.
USA Basketball extended their well wishes to Brink for a speedy recovery and announced plans to select a new athlete to join the 2024 USA 3x3 Women’s National Team in her place. This is not the first time the U.S. team has had to make such adjustments, as Katie Lou Samuelson missed the 2021 Tokyo Games due to COVID-19, with Jackie Young stepping in and helping the team secure a gold medal.
Despite the setback, the Sparks are gearing up for their upcoming games against the New York Liberty, with matches scheduled for Thursday and Saturday. The team will need to adapt to Brink's absence and work together to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
Brink's injury serves as a reminder of the physical demands and risks associated with professional sports, highlighting the resilience and adaptability required from athletes and teams in the face of adversity.
