The good news for the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night was that Cameron Brink made her long-awaited return from the torn ACL that cut her rookie season short 13 months ago.
The bad news for the Sparks was that A’ja Wilson’s welcome-back gift to Brink and the Sparks was a blitzkrieg of buckets.
Wilson went off on Tuesday, putting up 34 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks in the Las Vegas Aces’ 89-74 win—including 17 points in the first quarter alone—while ending a five-game winning streak for the Sparks in the process.
Jackie Young added 18 points, 11 boards and 10 assists for the Aces, who moved to 14-13 on the year.
Brink, who was on a minutes restriction, registered five points, three rebounds, a block, an assist and a steal across 13 minutes in her return, while Kelsey Plum (22 points, eight assists) led the way for the Sparks (11-15).
It wasn’t the result that Brink or her teammates would have wanted upon her return, but the 2024 No. 2 overall pick is hoping to add some verve going forward.
“Just a great attitude, great energy,” she told reporters on Monday regarding what she hopes to bring to the team now that she’s healthy. “I always say my energy is my currency. Just being a really great teammate. I think we’ve been winning because we’re having a lot of fun. So just bringing that every day.”
Brink was having a solid rookie season, averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 15 games before suffering a torn ACL last June. Her return should help bolster a Sparks team that got off to an awful 4-11 start this season before stabilizing over the past month.
“It’s great to get in and get reps,” Brink said of returning to practice. “My teammates are super supportive, coaching me up. My coaches are super patient. I’m feeling great, just getting the reps that I need to feel comfortable.”
The Sparks will be glad to have her back. And they’ll definitely be glad they don’t have to see Wilson again until their final game of the regular season.