Cameron Brink hasn’t touched a basketball court in a Los Angeles Sparks uniform since her devastating ACL injury over a year ago. But for the first time since that gruesome moment, fans have real reason to believe she’s about to return. The question isn’t if anymore, it’s when.
What Does Brink’s Questionable Status Mean for Thursday’s Game?
Brink remains doubtful for the team’s Thursday matchup against the Connecticut Sun. However, Sparks fans will be encouraged by the latest developments. According to the Washington Post’s Kareem Copeland, Brink was seen getting a workout on the court. Per a recent Real Sports tweet, she was upgraded to questionable ahead of the matchup.
This string of updates comes after Brink’s 5-on-5 practice before the team took a break for the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend. Earlier, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts believed that her star center was expected to return by the end of July. The latest status update suggests Brink could prove her coach correct.
Cameron Brink first on the floor getting in a workout. pic.twitter.com/zwyvOFSPvh
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) July 22, 2025
Los Angeles plays the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces after the Sun clash, with the expectation being that Brink will return at some point during the next couple of games if she misses out on Thursday.
How Will the Sparks Handle Brink’s Return After a Year Away?
Brink was the second overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft and had a solid start to her rookie campaign, averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game through the first 15 games of the 2024 season. The ACL tear forced her to miss the remainder of the year and also forced her to withdraw from the USA Basketball 3×3 Women’s National Team selected for the Paris Olympics.
Despite the promising news, the team’s coaching staff may be cautious in easing her back into the lineup. The Sparks will be wary of the rust factor that comes with a year away from competitive basketball, and will look to gradually increase her minutes as the regular season enters its final stretch in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, the 2025 season sees the Sparks desperately trying to make the postseason. After a difficult start to their campaign, the team has recorded three consecutive wins. Despite sitting at 9-14, a strong stretch could help them fight for an eighth-seed berth.
Currently, they sit 10th in the standings with the Golden State Valkyries (10-12), and the Washington Mystics (11-12) occupying the 9th and 8th seeds respectively. Sitting just 2 games back, the Brink’s return to the Sparks lineup could be the deciding factor for a potential playoff run.
