Cameron Brink’s return to the hardwood was charged with emotion. Thirteen months after tearing her ACL in just her 15th rookie game, the Los Angeles Sparks forward finally made her 2025 debut. The moment was about more than the scoreboard; it was a journey back from heartbreak and into the game she loves.
How Did Candace Parker’s Support Shape Cameron Brink’s Comeback?
The cheers in the arena echoed far beyond the stands. WNBA legend Candace Parker was among those celebrating Brink’s healthy return, and she had some heartfelt words for the second-year forward after everything she had faced.
On a recent episode of “Post Moves,” her podcast with Aliyah Boston, Parker peeled back the curtain on what recovering from an ACL injury really feels like. Reflecting on her own past struggles, Parker delivered a message full of both honesty and empathy for Brink:
“You still have that mental block. And so, I commend her. Obviously, she did the rehab, she did the process, but to come back from that, and to be honest with you, you come back a shell of yourself. It wasn’t until probably like 12 months later, when I felt like myself.
“And so, I know it’s going to be a process. My advice to her would be to give herself grace.”
Parker also called out Brink’s ability to shake off her return nerves. “But I feel like she’s done a great job here. Hit her first shot. Block some shots. Did a great job! So, congratulations Cam, we’re rooting for you!”
How Has Cameron Brink Performed Since Returning to the LA Sparks?
Brink’s first game back was one fans had circled for months. She had torn her ACL in June while facing the Connecticut Sun, forcing her into a 13-month recovery full of rehab and mental hurdles.
Her 2025 debut came on Tuesday, when the Sparks squared off with the Las Vegas Aces. Brink saw 13 minutes of action, notched five points, three rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. The crowd made sure she felt the love every time she touched the ball.
After the buzzer, she said, “It was really fun to be out there with my teammates and feed off the crowd. That’s definitely my favorite part of basketball, just competing and working my butt off.”
Cameron Brink has 4 blocks in 7 mins pic.twitter.com/8Lut6ZRokH
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) August 6, 2025
Brink followed up two days later in Seattle, where she showed an even bigger spark. Although foul trouble kept her on the bench for some stretches, she still managed to score seven points, grab four rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in about 12 minutes, hitting three of her seven shots.
Late in the game, she delivered three straight buckets, including a clutch three-pointer that clearly rattled Seattle. Her rim protection also stood out during those big moments.
The Sparks came out on top in a 108-106 double-overtime win. With that result, the Sparks are now 12-15 on the season.
