Sparks upset defending champions Aces as Brink records season-high 16 points
Cameron Brink’s 16-point, eight-rebound effort was not enough to overcome her fourth-quarter foul out, though the victory avenged the team’s season-opening loss to Las Vegas.
The Los Angeles Sparks secured a 101-95 victory over the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces on Saturday, avenging their 105-98 defeat in the season opener two weeks prior. The win marks a significant turnaround for the franchise, which struggled to contain the Aces’ offensive output in their opening fixture.
Cameron Brink recorded a season-high 16 points and eight rebounds in her first start of the campaign, filling in for veteran Nneka Ogwumike, who remains sidelined with a hand injury. Brink, who shot 7 of 11 from the field and 2 of 5 from three-point range, also contributed one steal and one block. Her performance included a display of resilience after suffering a bloody nose from an accidental elbow by Aces forward NaLyssa Smith, though she continued to play through the injury.
Despite the strong statistical output, Brink fouled out in the fourth quarter, extending a pattern of foul trouble that has characterised her WNBA career. This marks the second time in the 2026 season she has fouled out, following a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Her inability to stay on the floor remains a concern, particularly as the WNBA implemented stricter officiating rules during the offseason to address complaints regarding physicality.
Teammate Kelsey Plum scored 38 points in the victory and praised Brink’s handling of the pressure. Plum described Brink as the team’s “X factor,” noting her development and ability to manage high expectations. The victory also highlighted the Sparks’ improved defensive cohesion, with Brink averaging 1.7 blocks per contest this season, ranking fifth-best in the league.
The win provides a boost for the Sparks as they prepare for a challenging back-to-back road schedule. They will face the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun on Friday and Saturday. While Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby remain the primary frontcourt starters, averaging 31.6 and 30.8 minutes respectively, Brink’s performance suggests she is earning greater trust from head coach Lynn Roberts.
