The Los Angeles Sparks’ loss in their game against the New York Liberty on Thursday was about more than just the scoreline. The game also saw their star center Cameron Brink suffer a concerning rib injury, one so severe that she had to be helped off the court in the middle of the game.
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The incident that led to the injury in question happened during the fourth quarter of the game. As shared by espnW on X, the footage captured a play involving New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart driving toward the basket, with Brink tracking along to guard her and ultimately prevent her from getting to the basket. However, as seen in the video, Stewart then proceeded to shoulder-bump Brink, who took the contact directly in the chest area.
The resulting collision from the play saw Breanna Stewart still proceeding to make the shot, but she was called for an offensive foul. Cameron Brink, on the other hand, immediately doubled over on the floor in intense pain, holding her right rib area. She in fact remained on the floor for several minutes before she was eventually helped to her feet and assisted to the locker room by team personnel with a towel over her head, clearly struggling to move.
Before that point in the game, Cameron Brink had played 19 minutes and delivered nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and a steal. The entire Sparks team was also putting together a massive 21-0 run to fight back from a 26-point deficit. Unfortunately, they couldn’t eventually overturn the game and grab the victory. Perhaps the absence of Cameron Brink might have also made things more difficult for Los Angeles as it attempted to complete the incredible comeback.
Cameron Brink, unfortunately, has faced a very difficult, injury-riddled start to her professional career since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2024. Since being drafted in 2024, recurring physical setbacks have repeatedly interrupted her momentum on the court. Just 15 games into her rookie campaign, she suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which required surgery and ended her rookie season.
Even this year, before this incident, Brink sprained her ankle on June 15, which cost her a month’s worth of games.
“It’s a good ankle sprain. I don’t anticipate her being back (soon),” head coach Lynne Roberts told reporters a couple of days after she picked up the injury, and Brink finally returned to the court on July 15 against the Minnesota Lynx.
So it appears that the injury worries surrounding Brink could renew, with her status now set around the rib injury. Following the game, Roberts did not have any concrete updates or an idea of the time of Brink’s return.
According to Sparks head coach, doctors are still evaluating the condition and the extent of the injury. Hopefully, it will not turn out to be anything too serious, and Cameron Brink will be back on the court very soon this season.