ESPN
Jun 19, 2024, 04:55 PM ET
The 2024 WNBA season is only five weeks old, and rookies remain a dominant storyline.
But Cameron Brink, one of the top players in one of the most anticipated rookie classes in league history, is out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL on Tuesday.
The No. 2 pick in April's draft, Brink went down in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Sparks' loss Tuesday. The Sparks on Wednesday confirmed the injury.
Like fellow rookies Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, Brink had started every game for her team this season.
"You never think it will happen to you. And despite all the hard work sometimes it does," Brink wrote Wednesday on Instagram. "This is hard to fathom but I know it will only make me stronger."
We will continue to track the top rookie performances every time they take the court, so check back every game day.
Last updated: June 19
Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks
Forward | 6-foot-4 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Brink went down with a left knee injury in the first quarter of Los Angeles' 79-70 loss at Connecticut on Tuesday as she fell while driving to the basket. On Wednesday, the Sparks announced the rookie had suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season. The injury also means Brink will miss the Paris Olympics; she was named to the four-person U.S. women's 3x3 Olympic team earlier this month.
A 6-foot-4 forward, Brink had started every game this season for the Sparks. For the season, she averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. She was on pace to become the first rookie to average at least 7 PPG, 5 RPG and 2 BPG since Brittney Griner in 2013.
What we learned: The Sparks lost the fourth game of a seven-game road stretch Tuesday. With Brink out, center Li Yueru played a season-high 26 minutes and had 11 points. Li, 25, was drafted out of China in 2019 by the Atlanta Dream but didn't play in the WNBA until 2022 with the Chicago Sky. This is her second WNBA season.
"Unintended consequences of injuries are it's going to open the door for someone like [Li Yueru]," Sparks coach Curt Miller said Tuesday night.
Los Angeles is 4-11. It's a huge blow to lose such a high-profile rookie. -- Michael Voepel
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Fellow rookie Brink left the game in the first quarter with a knee injury, putting more on Jackson's shoulders. She finished with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the 79-70 loss at Connecticut.
Jackson has scored in double figures for the past three games and four of the past five.
What we learned: Sunday, Jackson and Brink combined for 32 points, which was a big bright spot despite the Sparks' loss at Atlanta. Now, Los Angeles awaits Brink's injury status.
If Brink is out for any amount of time, Jackson will need to step forward more. Her season high in points (19) and rebounds (10) came June 14 in a loss at Minnesota.
"Unfortunately, the best teams don't always win in the WNBA. The healthiest teams win," Miller said. "We send well wishes to all other 11 teams in the league to stay healthy." -- Voepel
Up next: at New York Liberty on Thursday (7 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Caitlin Clark scores 23 points in Fever's win over the Sky
Caitlin Clark scores 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting for the Fever in a win over Sky.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats
Last time out: The Fever have their first winning streak of 2024 as they defeated the Sky 91-83 on Sunday, following their victory over Atlanta on Thursday.
Sunday was one of Indiana's best overall games: The Fever had their best shooting percentage from the field (56.5%) since 2022 and their most blocks (11) since 2014. It was also one of Clark's best games in her young WNBA career: 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to have at least 20 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds in a game. Two other No. 1 picks, Candace Parker and A'ja Wilson, had 20/8/8 games as rookies.
What we learned: As we've seen the past two games, when the Fever's offense is working, it's pretty good. In both games, they also had their moments on defense, and that will be the key factor in whether they make the playoffs.
Clark broke records throughout her senior season at Iowa, and she's already doing noteworthy stuff through 15 games her WNBA rookie year, too. She has had five games in which she has had at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. That's the most in the WNBA this year, and the second most by a rookie in WNBA history. The only rookie who had more 20/5/5 games was Indiana's Tamika Catchings in 2002.
Clark also has 40 3-pointers through 15 games as a rookie, which only three other players have done, including Indiana teammate Kelsey Mitchell. Clark is the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 200 points, 75 assists and 75 rebounds.
"The longer she's in the league, she's getting more and more comfortable," Indiana coach Christie Sides said. "She's having those moments with her new teammates, and we just have to keep growing and building on that." -- Voepel
Up next: vs. Washington Mystics on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Angel Reese on officiating: 'I guess some people got a special whistle'
Angel Reese says her flagrant 1 on Caitlin Clark was a "basketball play" and voices some frustration with the officiating.
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Reese had 11 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists as the Sky fell 91-83 at Indiana on Sunday. It was Reese's seventh double-double, the most of any Sky rookie in history. Retired star center Sylvia Fowles, the WNBA's all-time leader in double-doubles, previously held the Chicago rookie record with six, set in 2008.
Reese's seven consecutive games with double-digit rebounds also set a WNBA rookie record. But Reese was irritated by foul calls in Sunday's game, as she finished with five. She also didn't agree with being called for a flagrant foul 1 against Indiana's Clark, but the contact she inadvertently made with Clark's head on a shot-block attempt basically made that upgrade automatic.
What we learned: Chicago has lost four games in a row, all by single digits. While that's frustrating, it shows that the Sky are competing pretty well, even if they're not getting the results they want.
Reese's performances this season have been consistent, and a lot like how she played in college. That's mostly quite good. She is an elite rebounder, but she must keep working on her shooting percentage. Sunday, she was 4-of-13 from the field (30.7%), and for the season she's shooting 37.1%. -- Voepel
Up next: vs. Dallas Wings on Thursday (noon ET)
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Center | 6-foot-7 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Cardoso had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists in the Sky's 91-83 loss at Indiana on Sunday. She was 4-of-11 from the field (36.4%), which is low for her; she is shooting 48.9% for the season.
Cardoso and Reese became the first rookie teammates to get double-doubles in the same game since 2008, when the Minnesota Lynx's Candice Wiggins and Charde Houston did it. Considering how both Reese and Cardoso have played thus far, it seems likely we'll see more dual double-doubles from them this season.
What we learned: The Sky rookie post players had good games, but the Fever's slightly older posts did better. Second-year pro Aliyah Boston and third-year pro NaLyssa Smith combined for 34 points, 21 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 blocks for Indiana. -- Voepel
Up next: vs. Dallas Wings on Thursday (noon ET)
Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: What's this? A winning streak? Indeed, after starting the season 0-12, the Mystics got their second victory in a row Friday, beating the visiting Chicago Sky. Edwards had 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, plus a team-high 9 rebounds. She added 3 blocked shots and 2 assists.
What we learned: Brittney Sykes was out again for Friday night's game after a brief return to the lineup. Sykes was injured in the second game of the season in May, then came back with 18 points in Tuesday's win at the Atlanta Dream. But Sykes suffered a sprained left foot vs. the Dream and is now expected to be out at least another two weeks.
Even with that disappointment and the continued absence of injured center Shakira Austin (who has played just six games), Washington has started to find its groove -- and Edwards has a lot to do with that. The No. 6 pick in April's draft, Edwards has scored in double figures in four of her past six games and is averaging 9.1 PPG. -- Michael Voepel
Up next: at Indiana Fever on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
