Kia Nurse persevered through ACL injury in Phoenix, blossoming as leader for Sparks

While Phoenix was able to progress to the 2021 WNBA Finals after winning the series 3-2 over Vegas, Nurse would not play again that year and missed the whole 2022 season as she was recovering from a catastrophic ACL tear. She needed surgery and afterward, she spent hours upon hours in extensive testing and recovery processes that could help her return at some point in the future.

After more than a year away from the game she loved, Nurse was cleared to compete and opted to sign with the Seattle Storm for the 2023 season. Despite taking precautionary measures to not aggravate her ACL again, the Canadian appeared in all 40 games, averaging 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

Returning to Phoenix after heart-breaking injury

Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (Orange) laughs with Sparks guard Kia Nurse (Left) during a game against the Sparks at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Friday, June 28, 2024. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following her lone season in Seattle, the six-year guard was traded to the youthful Los Angeles Sparks in late January. Besides Layshia Clarendon, Dearica Hamby and Stephanie Talbot, nine players on the team are under the age of 30.

Even though she has played for the Storm and New York Liberty in the past, Nurse traveled back to Phoenix as the Sparks had a West Coast matchup against the Mercury on June 28.

When speaking exclusively with Burn City Sports, she reminisced over her time with the Mercury and everyone in the organization who got her through the troubling times of her career.

“I had some of my toughest battles here with my [ACL] injury, but I am so grateful to come back,” Nurse said. “The relationships I built here in Phoenix were so special to me because they were so there for me when going through my ACL injury and the rehab process. I am grateful for that and everything that I have learned from them.”

So far in her first go around with Los Angeles, the UConn product is averaging 9.0 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 19 games (all starts) for the Sparks.

With Nurse back in the swing of things and playing at a high level, Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham praised her former teammate for how she handled the injury and relished their friendship together.

“She can shoot the heck out of the ball,” Cunningham said at a Mercury practice on June 25. “She has done a phenomenal job with LA. She just keeps on improving and with her ACL looks phenomenal right now, I am really happy with her being really successful. She is so fun [off the court], we’ve had a lot of wine nights and she likes to read books. She is such a good human to be around.”

Echoing the same sentiment of how proud she is to see Nurse healthy, Taurasi emphasized what makes her so effective and seeing what she is doing to prolong her career.

“Kia’s great,” Taurasi said. “We made that huge run to the [2021 WNBA] Finals and she was playing some great basketball for us. She is just one of those competitors that will play hard every single game. Obviously she can shoot the lights out of the ball which makes her so special. I love Kia, I love what she is doing and she is having a great career.”

Teammate suffers ACL injury, Nurse steps up as leader

Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) yells in excitement Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Indiana Fever, 88-82. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Dealing with a torn ACL and going through the challenges of the rehab process, a serious injury like that puts life into perspective and takes nothing for granted. One second someone is enjoying something and the next, it could be all wiped away.

Having the mental fortitude to push through all of the difficult times, Nurse is well-equipped to help anyone who has questions about what she went through.

On June 18, Cameron Brink, the Sparks’ second-overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, slipped while driving to the basket against the Connecticut Sun. Similarly to Nurse, she too had to be assisted off the court as she was in serious pain before heading to the locker room. Brink is ruled out for the rest of the season.

Remembering what she had gone through and the road ahead for Brink, Nurse has relayed insight on what to expect and different techniques to make it easier for the rookie to cope with this setback.

“I am there for her whenever she needs me, she asked questions early on in the [rehab] process,” Nurse said. “I’ve given her what I went through and told her some things I did or did not expect knowing that every ACL is very different and each process is very different. Some advice I got going into it and I have kind of given it to her as well, just things that helped me get through it.”

Going from teams full of veterans like the Mercury, Storm and Liberty, the wealth of knowledge she has gained and brought to the young Sparks squad has been invaluable. She has shared pointers with teammates, guided them on what to do in certain situations and has been a veteran leader who is guiding Los Angeles in the right direction.

Reflecting on how much she has helped her teammates, Nurse makes sure whatever she says has substance and is meaningful.

“I just try to lead by example and try to be more vocal,” Nurse said. “Using the right words when I need to, I am not just going to speak to speak. I try to make sure whenever I do have something to say, it is useful and it can help them moving forward. A lot of it is a lot of high fives and building their confidence whenever they are doing well, keeping that vibe as good as possible knowing that it is tough to win games in this league.”

Becoming an Olympian is always a memorable honor

Sep 29, 2022; Sydney, AUS; Canada player Kia Nurse (middle) dribbles in the second half against Puerto Rico at Sydney SuperDome. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

The WNBA season will be taking about a month’s pause to make way for the Olympic break, and Nurse is ecstatic about representing her home country of Canada.

Being born in Hamilton, Ontario, she will compete in the Olympics for the third time with Team Canada. She has played in the 2016 Rio, 202o Tokyo and now in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Dawning the red and white colors of her country on a global stage in France, she is looking forward to running it back and chasing a medal.

“It’s so special. This is my third one but every time I do it, it is really hard to put into words when I get to put Canada across my chest and represent the country in the Olympics,” Nurse said. “I am really excited about this one, I think we got another really good team with an opportunity to go out there and get on the podium, that’s our goal.”

In the history of Canada being in the Summer Olympics, they have yet to win a medal in eight attempts. With Nurse, they finished No. 7 in 2016 and No. 9 in 2020. The best placement Canada has ever had was in the 1984 Summer Olympics in California where they finished just short of the bronze, in fourth.

Trying to make noise internationally, Team Canada could face the presumed favorites in Team USA at some point, setting up an enticing rivalry.

Once the Sparks wrap up their last five games before the break, Nurse can’t wait to reunite with her fellow Canadians and try to achieve something remarkable.

“It’ll be nice to get back with them when the break starts and I can’t be more excited for that.”