Where do we go from here? Reaction to Cameron Brink’s devastating knee injury

Cameron Brink is one of the most popular rookies in the WNBA this season, but her campaign took a turn for the worst. She suffered a torn ACL during a game against the Connecticut Sun on June 18. It’s a tough break for a player who is widely supported amongst fans, and who was having an early impact for the Los Angeles Sparks.

It wasn’t like Brink landed in a precarious position leading up to the injury. She was driving to the basket when it looked like she slipped, causing her leg to give out on her.

In a social media post, the Los Angeles Sparks center wrote, “You never think it will happen to you… this is hard to fathom but I know it will only make me stronger. It’s not goodbye basketball, it’s just a see you later. I’m always so thankful for your thoughts and prayers.”

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Cameron Brink will be out for the rest of the WNBA season, and will also miss the 2024 Olympics in Paris, according to ESPN. The latter might be more disappointing to some, as she was set to play a unique role in a specific Olympic event.

Brink was expected to represent the United States in 3 on 3 basketball during the Olympics, along with Cierra Burdick, Rhyne Howard and Hailey Van Lith. Sports Illustrated calls this development a serious blow for the team, as Brink’s size was going to provide rim protection against driving players.

Today’s website noted that athletes tend to return to competition in several months, which is much faster than they used to recover from ACL injuries. This means that Brink should be able to be on the floor during the start of the 2025 WNBA season. However, she has a long road in front of her with regard to repairing and rehabilitating the knee.

Brink’s injury was a depressing blow for those who wanted to see her establish herself as a star in her first WNBA campaign. Many have expressed their feelings about the unfortunate injury.

Brink was averaging 2.5 blocks per game when she went down, but Sparks head coach Curt Miller thinks his team will be impacted in other ways after her injury. He told Marca’s website, “She has a positive vibe. A presence about her on a daily basis that brings joy and uplifts our team. It’s certainly something that we will miss.”

Fellow rookie Caitlin Clark told Sports Illustrated, “Obviously devastating. You don’t want to see anybody deal with any sort of injury, especially an injury of that magnitude. It just breaks your heart. She’s such a good basketball player but an even better person.”

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Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese took to social media to express her support for Brink. “Prayers for my sweet girl! I pray God wraps his hands around you and heals you back even better! Love you my Barbie Doll,” Reese posted.

Los Angeles Sparks teammate Dearica Hamby took to social media to support Brink. “Got you every step of the way,” she wrote.

Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin also voiced her well wishes, but made an interesting comment about the unrelenting schedule for female basketball players. “Praying for Cam!!!” she wrote on social media. “I really hope one day we can get the rest we deserve to be truly successful.”

Austin might have a fair point. WNBA rookies were drafted in the middle of April, only a few weeks after the conclusion of the women’s NCAA Tournament. A few weeks later, the WNBA season started. Players like Brink, and others who have Olympic commitments, will play throughout the summer, and return to WNBA action once that ends.

Sonya Curry, mother of NBA star Stephen Curry, is also Cameron Brink’s godmother. She also took to social media to motivate Brink to come back better than ever. “We may fall down but we always get up! God got you!!!”

According to Athlon Sports, Brink was 11^th in fan voting for the WNBA All-Star game, so there was a great chance that she would have appeared in the league’s showcase event. Instead, she will have to watch from the sidelines. It’s uncertain as to whether she will attend as she works her way back to full strength.

It’s almost a certainty that Brink’s recovery will be reported on heavily in the coming months, as she attempts to get back to the court healthy. The WNBA and its fans are hoping she can pick up where she left off.

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