Player Rae Burrell departs contest due to potential injury concern in Valkyries match
Hitting a Snag in the Sparks' Season Opener
It was a tough debut for the LA Sparks in the 2025 WNBA season, not just because they lost to the Golden State Valkyries, but because their guard, Rae Burrell, suffered a nasty knee injury. The incident occurred in the first quarter, leaving Burrell unable to walk on her own and carried off the court.
Kneeling to the ground during a shot contest, Burrell appeared to twist her right knee awkwardly in an unfortunate collision with Golden State's Carla Leite. The injury forced Burrell to exit the game, and the Sparks announced via social media that she would be out for the rest of the first half.
Now heading into her fourth season in the WNBA, Burrell, a former Tennessee standout, was poised for a breakout year. During the Sparks media day, Burrell spoke about her eagerness to refine her slashing game and make an impact on the team in that aspect.
Averaging 5.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists during the 2024 season, Burrell's tenure with the Sparks has not exactly been smooth sailing. Injuries have been a recurring issue, with a foot injury in her rookie year sidelining her for most of the season and training camp cuts the following year. However, Burrell secured her spot with a lucrative, two-year contract in the 2024 offseason.
Sadly, Burrell's 2025 season may get off to a rocky start with this recent injury. The Sparks have yet to disclose specifics about the nature of the injury, but preliminary estimates suggest a six to eight-week recovery timeline. Although this means Rae Burrell will likely be sidelined for a significant portion of the early WNBA season, the team remains hopeful and optimistic about her full recovery.
On a brighter note, the Sparks also welcomed a new face on their roster – Kelsey Plum, who wasted no time making a mark with the team. Plum grabbed her first official basket with the Sparks and proved to be a crucial factor in their debut against the Valkyries. But without Rae Burrell, it remains to be seen how the team will navigate their upcoming games in the WNBA season.
Rae Burrell's season debut with the LA Sparks in the 2025 WNBA season was potentially derailed as she sustained a knee injury during the game, which might require a recovery time of six to eight weeks. Despite this setback, the team is hopeful about her full recovery and will need to adapt their strategy in the early WNBA season without Burrell's slashing game in their lineup, as Kelsey Plum makes her mark for the Sparks.
