Cameron Brink makes return from ACL tear in Sparks' loss to Aces - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — Late in the first quarter Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink collected a pass from teammate Julie Allemand, gathered herself behind the arc and, with her first shot attempt in a WNBA game in 13 months, drained a 3-pointer.

The crowd roared as she ran back on defense, with Brink lifting her arms and cracking a smile.

The moment was a weight off her shoulders as, a year-plus removed from tearing her left ACL, Brink made her highly anticipated return to the court in the Sparks' 89-74 loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

«I definitely was a little nervous at first,» Brink said, «but once I got in, it felt like riding a bike.

»Great day. Ten out of 10."

Brink, who was on a minutes restriction (15), finished with 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block and a plus-minus of plus-7 in just shy of 14 minutes of play.

«I thought she did a good job,» Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. «To be honest, she was more comfortable out there than I anticipated her to be, just because how long she's been out, and coming in midseason is hard.»

Added teammate Kelsey Plum: «I was really proud of her. I told her after game, 'Cam, it's very impressive to come in and make the impact that you did.'… I thought she was phenomenal.»

Cheers rang out as Brink, the Sparks' No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, went to the table to check in for her first action of the night, and then again once she finally subbed in following a Sparks timeout.

Brink said she had over 20 loved ones in the stands for the momentous occasion.

«It's an emotional moment when you've been out for 13 months and you actually have the uniform on and you're going to get to play,» Roberts said. «She loves basketball, so she's finally getting the chance to