Do you know? The incidence of female-to-male ACL injuries is 3.5 times higher in basketball. And while researchers are still trying to get to the bottom of why that is, women on the hardwood just keep taking the hit. We’re not even a full month into the 2025 WNBA season, and already, the league’s been rocked with ACL-related season-enders. Sure, it’s brutal for any athlete, but for a rookie looking to make their mark, it’s got to be next-level gut-wrenching. This year, that heartbreak hit Georgia Amoore before the season even tipped off. And last year, that pain belonged to Cameron Brink. 

Just 15 games into her promising rookie year, her season came to a sudden, painful stop. Now, it’s been almost a whole year since Brink went under the knife to repair that torn ACL in her left knee. And ever since, there’s been one question that every Sparks fan has been asking: when’s Brink coming back? Initially, the timeline pointed to June-July. Which means, if all goes according to plan, her comeback should be right around the corner.

Fans have been waiting on the edge of their seats, dying to see her back in that Sparks uniform. And this week, they kinda got a taste. Is she officially back? No. But she did drop a whole vibe on Instagram in full Sparks uniform, alongside bestie, straight from the gym. 

Her teammate-cum-bestfriend Rae Burrell is also dealing with an injury setback, after hurting her leg minutes into her season debut. So both of them are off-court, but not out of sight. Brink posted a video with Burrell from the gym, dropping five words: “Prepared to be sick of us.” Fans couldn’t disagree more. Sick of them? Never. More like, “please never leave our feeds.” 

These two have been dishing out bestie content ever since they met as Sparks teammates, and somewhere between all the TikToks, mirror selfies, and post-practice fits, they went from teammates to total fan-favorite duo. They hype each other up, mess around on the golf course, and make even injury rehab look like a vibe.

But back to the big question. Is Brink really close to a return? Well, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts did speak up recently, but it wasn’t a promising update. “There’s no date. She’ll be cleared when she’s cleared and ready to roll,” Roberts said, and it makes sense. Brink’s too valuable to rush back. That said, there is a silver lining. Just this week, Brink was spotted on the court post-practice, working on ball-handling drills. So, she’s ramping it up. Slowly but surely. 

While there’s still no official return date, the signs are pointing in the right direction. It’s looking pretty likely she’ll be back sometime this season. And her return will be crucial for her team. In the short 15-game run she had before injury, Brink averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 boards, in just 22 minutes per game. That’s the impact she brings to the court.

And even though she’s been out, her name’s still popping up on WNBA highlight stats. 

Cameron Brink is still ‘blocking’ the charts

Brink hasn’t touched a WNBA court since June 18, 2024, but she’s still sitting among the league’s Top 15 in total blocks in the W in the last two seasons. The rim protector made that much noise in just 15 games. Before her season came to a sudden stop, in just 22 minutes per night, she was swatting 2.3 shots a game and grabbing 1.1 steals, while still figuring out her rhythm as a scorer. So, you just know she’ll be making an immediate impact once she’s back. After all, we’re in a new season, and it’s a different era for the Los Angeles Sparks. 

They’ve gone all in, trading for Kelsey Plum, stacking her up with Dearica Hamby, and laying the foundation for something big. But the final piece is still Brink. She’s the anchor they need on defense and the bridge to a brighter future. When she returns, it’s not just about filling a spot. It’s about unlocking everything.

What’s even better is that even while rehabbing, Brink’s still the loudest cheerleader for her team. During the Sparks’ latest win over the Dallas Wings, there was a moment that melted the timeline. Brink caught up with fellow injury-sidelined star Paige Bueckers before the game. Both of them, future faces of the league, were seen chatting it up like old friends on the sidelines. That clip made the rounds all over, including the WNBA’s own page. And it reminded fans of just how much there is to look forward to – not just when Brink returns, but when we finally get to see her and Paige go toe-to-toe as pros.

The Sparks may be 3-6 right now. They’ve had their highs, like the win over Dallas. But ask any fan, and they’ll tell you: Cameron Brink’s return matters more than any current win-loss column.