Sparks Provide Massive Injury Update Ahead of Home Opener

The Los Angeles Sparks pulled off a convincing 84-67 season-opening win over the Golden State Valkyries on Friday night — a timely victory to begin 2025 in front of a sellout Chase Center crowd. Despite the double-digit result and a career night for star guard Kelsey Plum, fellow backcourt running mate Rae Burrell sustained a right leg injury within the game's opening minute, just 41 seconds in. "Thank you for all the love and prayers," the 6-foot-2 guard, now in her fourth season in Los Angeles, shared on social media following the injury. On Saturday, the Sparks announced Burrell will miss six to eight weeks and is expected to make a full recovery. Burrell averaged 5.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in just over 15 minutes per game in 2024. Prior to Sunday's home-opener, Sparks' coach Lynne Roberts noted the expectation for others — such as rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker — to step up in the Los Angeles backcourt in the wake of Burrell's injury. "Yes, maybe [Barker's] minutes are going to be a little bit expedited in