{"id":10440,"date":"2025-07-15T01:22:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-15T01:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/10440\/"},"modified":"2025-07-15T01:22:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T01:22:04","slug":"rae-burrell-is-back-and-picking-up-just-where-she-left-off","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/10440\/","title":{"rendered":"Rae Burrell is back, and picking up just where she left off"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leading up to the start of the 2025 season, Burrell was indicated to be a key player for the Sparks, who were adjusting their offense around Kelsey Plum<\/a> and into the fast-paced system of head coach Lynne Roberts. Ahead of the season, Burrell told reporters that she was looking forward to the opportunity to continue on her momentum from last season, \u201cget to the paint, take that content,\u201d echoing the statements about her athleticism, versatility, and ability to be aggressive from the season before. \u201cAny way I can help the team, I\u2019m just trying to make sure I get that done,\u201d she said. \u201cSo if that\u2019s slashing to the paint, that\u2019s what I\u2019m going to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

When asked preseason about what she wanted her impact to be with the Sparks this year, she said she wanted to remain a spark; whether that was starting or off the bench, bringing energy, she was ready to be wherever the team needed her. Unfortunately, only 41 seconds into her season, Burrell was hit with a knee injury that would sideline her until July 3, thwarting much of the momentum she had gained both at the close of the 2024 season and in the offseason, where she participated in the high-paced world of 3\u00d73 with Unrivaled.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite frustration, Burrell\u2019s mentality seems to have not faltered. As she works back into the lineup for the Sparks \u2014\u00a0who are looking for a change of pace as they sit 7-14 through the first half of the season \u2014 her team and coaches have repeatedly praised her energy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In her first game back this season against the New York Liberty on July 3, Burrell scored 5 points in 12 minutes. After the game, Coach Roberts told reporters \u201cI thought she did great. She hit a couple big shots, hit a three, and was super active on defense. I thought she was great for her first time back, I mean she really hasn\u2019t practiced.\u201d She went on to add that Burrell\u2019s return was a huge part of feeling like the Sparks are starting to get the \u201cgroup they had coming in\u201d back together after an influx of injuries and other personnel challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Locked<\/a><\/p>\n

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In Sunday\u2019s win over the Connecticut Sun, Burrell did what she\u2019d promised to do at the start of the season: enter the game and make an energetic impact. She came on with 4:14 left in the first quarter, and within 15 seconds she had secured a tough, athletic rebound followed by a layup on the other end through contact.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m taking it day-by-day. I\u2019m not going to come back and be exactly where I left off. So I\u2019m just giving myself grace and knowing I\u2019m going to get to that point,\u201d Burrell told The Next prior to the game. \u201cI feel like I\u2019ve been doing a great job thus far, and just trying to see myself into a system that they\u2019ve built. I don\u2019t want to mess anything up, but just want to add.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burrell shot 3-3 from the floor on the game, played strong defense on the perimeter, and successfully challenged a third quarter play (on her insistence) that resulted in an offensive foul. Her second bucket of the game came with seconds left in the third quarter to help her team maintain a lead, and her third helped take the lead back in the fourth quarter. The Sparks never trailed again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always going to make the hustle plays, rebound, get steals, make aggressive plays and get to the cup,\u201d Burrell said when asked how she plans to integrate herself back into the Sparks rotation. \u201cJust going to continue to be myself while still trying to figure out where I can be in the system.\u201d <\/p>\n

When asked about where she plans to focus in the second half of the season, she acknowledged that she needs to knock down shots, slash, get to the cup, and stay aggressive, as well as get steals, run the floor, and slash on defense.\u00a0Safe to say, she\u2019s planning to do it all.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After the game, Roberts praised the vigor that Burrell brings to a game. \u201cI mean, in our locker room she brings energy,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cYou know when she\u2019s there. I think that matters, and I think you see that on the floor too. She\u2019s the energizer bunny, and [\u2026] Kelsey and I were just talking about it too. Rae puts pressure on the defense, puts pressure on the rim. She\u2019s so athletic, and I feel like she\u2019s getting into a groove.\u201d<\/p>\n

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