While Rae Burrell will miss significant time due to a right leg injury, she is expected to recover and return this season.
When Rae Burrell exited the season opener against the Valkyries, it looked like she was seriously hurt.
Only one minute into her 2025 season, Burrell grimaced and grabbed her right knee while lying on the ground. Burrell could not put any weight on the leg and had to be carried off the floor.
During the game, the only update we got was that Burrell was ruled out for the rest of the contest. Now the Sparks have significant news on her health, stating that she will be out for six to eight weeks due to a right leg injury.
Injury Update: Rae Burrell suffered a right leg injury during last night’s win over Golden State. She will be out six to eight weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.
— LA Sparks PR (@LASparksPR) May 18, 2025
Considering how bad the injury looked, this is a glass-half-full scenario for the Sparks. Missing Burrell for potentially two months certainly stings, but a season-ending injury during the home opener would’ve been gutting.
If you were ever going to have a big injury, it’d be best to have it right away and finish the rest of the season healthy and strong.
Burrell averaged 5.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists last year. Those numbers aren’t exactly huge, but there was optimism that she would get an uptick in playing time this year, which could’ve set up Burrell for a career year.
Now, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see her in coach Lynne Roberts’ system.
While Burrell was relatively healthy in 2024, she’s no stranger to missing time due to injury. A knee injury limited her to three games during her rookie campaign back in 2022.
During her senior year at the University of Tennessee, Burrell hurt her knee in the season opener and missed the next 12 games. Unfortunately, history has repeated itself and Burrell will have to miss some time.
The Sparks now have two key pieces out, with Burrell joining Cameron Brink on the sidelines. Brink is still recovering from her ACL surgery and is reportedly aiming to return in June. Julie Allemand is also currently out with a left knee injury.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.