Lynne Roberts says Kelsey Plum is day-to-day ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks’ Sunday home game against the New York Liberty, while Cameron Brink is set for a longer absence after an ankle sprain.
LOS ANGELES — For the Los Angeles Sparks. Friday’s practice didn’t bring clarity so much as a decision waiting for the right moment. Head coach Lynne Roberts kept the door slightly open for star guard Kelsey Plum to return for Sunday’s home game against the New York Liberty. but she also made it plain that Cameron Brink’s situation is headed for the short term without him.
“Kp is day-to-day. I don’t know if she’s going to play on Sunday so it’ll probably be a Sunday decision would be my guess. So hopefully we can get her out there a little tomorrow [at practice], see how she looks, but we’re not gonna rush her,” Roberts said following Friday’s practice.
With Brink, Roberts was more direct. “Cameron is out. She’s got a good ankle sprain that she’s rehabbing the heck out of, but that’s a ways away.”
Brink first suffered the ankle injury in the second half of the Sparks’ loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Monday. She exited to the locker room and did not return. Plum, meanwhile, did suit up in that Monday defeat, but her own issue lingered. She was ruled out for Los Angeles’ game against the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday, listed as a lower leg injury.
Plum’s absence earlier in the season already cost the Sparks games. The four-time All-Star missed three games after an ankle sprain, and Los Angeles went 1-2 without her. Still, she has started the current run at a level that makes the Sparks’ roster decisions feel even sharper. Through the 11 games she has played, Plum is averaging career-best 25.0 points, adding 2.1 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.3 steals. Her shooting is also up: 54 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from 3-point range and 80.3 percent at the free-throw line.
That’s why the Plum timeline matters right now. Roberts suggested there will be a practical test during the next practice session — but also a hard limit on rushing. The Sparks’ next game is still the checkpoint. and Roberts’ wording left the impression that the Sunday decision will be shaped by what Plum shows on the floor. not by hope.
In the meantime, the team has already adjusted its depth. With Plum’s absence hitting the backcourt, the Sparks signed fifth-year guard Kiana Williams to fortify their rotation. To make room for Williams on the active roster, the team waived second-year center Sania Feagin.
Feagin had been working her way back from an injury of her own and only played sparingly going back to her rookie year. With Brink sidelined as well, the Sparks are now down to only two traditional bigs: Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby.
That shortage is opening minutes for veteran forward Emma Cannon. Roberts said she was pleased with Cannon’s extended playing time during the Sparks’ loss to the Lynx.
Moving forward, Roberts expects to use Brink more frequently in the physical role when she returns — a power forward who can also space the floor with her 3-point shooting — but for now, Cannon’s job is bigger than ever.
“Emma Cannon, we’re gonna need her,” Roberts said. “She’s physical and sets screens, she’ll execute. She’s got six fouls to give so she knows she’s gonna play hard, but we’re gonna rely on her a little bit too.
“We need some people out there that are not afraid to just set a hard one, lay wood on somebody. She’ll do that and she’ll defend like that too. You’re not gonna roll up on her. She’ll just stop right there. She’s remarkably strong.”
For the Sparks, then, Sunday isn’t just another date on the schedule. It’s the moment where Plum’s “day-to-day” status becomes either a return or another stop in the road. while Brink’s ankle sprain continues its rehab timeline and Los Angeles leans harder on the experience of Cannon and the remaining bigs.
Los Angeles Sparks Lynne Roberts Kelsey Plum Cameron Brink injury update New York Liberty Golden State Valkyries Minnesota Lynx Kiana Williams Sania Feagin Emma Cannon
Day-to-day means play or no play right? So basically Sunday is a maybe.
Sounds like Plum is coming back but Brink is just “rehabbing the heck out of it” which is coach talk for nope. I just hate when they say day-to-day like it’s nothing.
Wait so Brink is out but “a ways away” like… ankle sprain isn’t usually that long? Unless they’re making it worse? Kinda confusing how Plum was in one game then out the next for “lower leg” but still seems ankle-ish.
This article feels like they’re keeping everyone in suspense lol. Plum day-to-day, but then they’re saying she might decide Sunday… okay so you’re not sure until game time. And Brink got hurt Monday and now it’s “short term” but also “a ways away”?? I’m just hoping the Sparks don’t go 1-2 again without Plum because the schedule is brutal.