Cameron Brink, the Los Angeles Sparks center, was forced to leave the court early during Thursday night’s game against the New York Liberty after sustaining a painful rib injury. The incident occurred in the fourth quarter as the Sparks were mounting an impressive 21-0 run, though the Liberty ultimately held on to claim an 85-81 victory.
The injury happened just under six minutes remaining in the final period when Brink was defending Breanna Stewart near the elbow. Stewart drove into Brink with a lowered shoulder, resulting in an offensive foul called on Stewart. Brink immediately dropped to her knees, clutching her ribs in evident discomfort, and required assistance from the Sparks’ coaching staff to leave the floor. She did not return for the remainder of the game.
Details Surrounding Brink’s Injury and Performance
Before departing, Brink had delivered a solid contribution, tallying 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 19 minutes of play. Her exit marked a significant turning point in the contest, as the Sparks’ momentum stalled without her presence on the court.
Following the game, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts provided a brief update on Brink’s condition. “Cam’s getting evaluated right now. She took a brutal hit to the ribs,” Roberts stated during the postgame press conference. “The docs are looking at her right now. That’s all I know right now.”