Why Sparks’ Cameron Brink gives Los Angeles plenty of hope for 2026

Missing the playoffs in 2025 was a logical outcome for the Los Angeles Sparks, after a new-look roster started the season with 14 losses from 20 games. But LA’s strong second half — which catapulted the Sparks back into the playoff race — must be the platform on which of the WNBA’s original franchises gets back into the postseason next year.

Despite beating the Mercury in Phoenix on Tuesday night, the Sparks (21-22) were eliminated from playoff contention when the Seattle Storm held off the Golden State Valkyries to claim the last available postseason spot. The Sparks have not made the postseason since Candace Parker played for the franchise, but there is reason to believe that next season will bring the five-year drought to a close.

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For one, Cameron Brink will have a normal offseason after spending much of the past year recovering and building up from a torn left ACL she sustained in June 2024. Brink’s absence and subsequent minutes restriction have not allowed her to post dizzying surface statistics — but she has quietly been a key driver of the Sparks’ second-half form.

Brink grabbed four “stocks” — two steals and two blocks — in Tuesday’s 88-83 win in Phoenix. In only 33 career games, Brink has blocked 61 shots for an average of 1.85 per game. That average ties her with Storm legend Lauren Jackson for fifth in WNBA history, and third among active players behind Brittney Griner and A’ja Wilson — two players heading for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Brink garnering more responsibility, combined with Kelsey Plum’s All-Star guard play and Rickea Jackson’s elite scoring ability, points to the formation of a new “Big Three” in LA — a trio that should guide the Sparks back to the playoffs in a year’s time.

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