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Watch: Sparks rookie forward Brink's block saves game for L.A.
Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink's block saves game for L.A.

Sparks rookie forward Cameron Brink saved the day for Los Angeles in its 70-68 win over the Washington Mystics.

The No. 2 overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft blocked Mystics center Shakira Austin's tying field goal attempt with 0.2 seconds remaining, and the Sparks held on for their first win of the season.

The former Stanford Cardinal has quickly made an impact on the defensive end of the court in her first three games. On Tuesday, she recorded four blocks and three steals to go along with seven defensive rebounds. 

Per Across The Timeline, she's the first rookie with at least four blocks and three steals in a game since Breanna Stewart on May 26, 2016.

Brink's 15 combined steals and blocks ("stocks") are tied for the third-most in a WNBA player's first three games in league history and only trail Candace Parker (16) and Tamika Catchings (17).

Her incredible defensive start shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. At Stanford, Brink was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year three times. She finished her collegiate career second in conference history in blocks (424) while also ranking first in defensive rating (71.1).

Austin was held to 5-of-14 shooting for Washington, which dropped to 0-4 with the loss.

Brink and the Sparks will next host fellow rookie Caitlin Clark and the Fever on Friday.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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