Despite early-season derailment, Rae Burrell looks to pick up where she left off  

Leading up to the start of the 2025 season, Burrell was indicated to be a key player for the Sparks, who were adjusting their offense around Kelsey Plum and into the fast-paced system of head coach Lynne Roberts. Ahead of the season, Burrell told reporters that she was looking forward to the opportunity to continue on her momentum from last season, “get to the paint, take that content,” echoing the statements about her athleticism, versatility, and ability to be aggressive from the season before. “Any way I can help the team, I’m just trying to make sure I get that done,” she said. “So if that’s slashing to the paint, that’s what I’m going to do.” 

When asked preseason about what she wanted her impact to be with the Sparks this year, she said she wanted to remain a spark; whether that was starting or off the bench, bringing energy, she was ready to be wherever the team needed her. Unfortunately, only 41 seconds into her season, Burrell was hit with a knee injury that would sideline her until July 3, thwarting much of the momentum she had gained both at the close of the 2024 season and in the offseason, where she participated in the high-paced world of 3×3 with Unrivaled. 

Despite frustration, Burrell’s mentality seems to have not faltered. As she works back into the lineup for the Sparks — who are looking for a change of pace as they sit 7-14 through the first half of the season — her team and coaches have repeatedly praised her energy. 

In her first game back this season against the New York Liberty on July 3, Burrell scored 5 points in 12 minutes. After the game, Coach Roberts told reporters “I thought she did great. She hit a couple big shots, hit a three, and was super active on defense. I thought she was great for her first time back, I mean she really hasn’t practiced.” She went on to add that Burrell’s return was a huge part of feeling like the Sparks are starting to get the “group they had coming in” back together after an influx of injuries and other personnel challenges. 

In Sunday’s win over the Connecticut Sun, Burrell did what she’d promised to do at the start of the season: enter the game and make an energetic impact. She came on with 4:14 left in the first quarter, and within 15 seconds she had secured a tough, athletic rebound followed by a layup on the other end through contact. 

“I’m taking it day-by-day. I’m not going to come back and be exactly where I left off. So I’m just giving myself grace and knowing I’m going to get to that point,” Burrell told The Next prior to the game. “I feel like I’ve been doing a great job thus far, and just trying to see myself into a system that they’ve built. I don’t want to mess anything up, but just want to add.”

Burrell shot 3-3 from the floor on the game, played strong defense on the perimeter, and successfully challenged a third quarter play (on her insistence) that resulted in an offensive foul. Her second bucket of the game came with seconds left in the third quarter to help her team maintain a lead, and her third helped take the lead back in the fourth quarter. The Sparks never trailed again. 

“I’m always going to make the hustle plays, rebound, get steals, make aggressive plays and get to the cup,” Burrell said when asked how she plans to integrate herself back into the Sparks rotation. “Just going to continue to be myself while still trying to figure out where I can be in the system.”

When asked about where she plans to focus in the second half of the season, she acknowledged that she needs to knock down shots, slash, get to the cup, and stay aggressive, as well as get steals, run the floor, and slash on defense. Safe to say, she’s planning to do it all. 

After the game, Roberts praised the vigor that Burrell brings to a game. “I mean, in our locker room she brings energy,” Roberts said. “You know when she’s there. I think that matters, and I think you see that on the floor too. She’s the energizer bunny, and […] Kelsey and I were just talking about it too. Rae puts pressure on the defense, puts pressure on the rim. She’s so athletic, and I feel like she’s getting into a groove.”