LOS ANGELES — Sparks guard Lexie Brown shared new details about the previously undisclosed non-COVID illness that caused her to miss 28 of the team’s 40 games this season. Brown detailed how a bacterial infection, which nearly turned septic, forced doctors to perform emergency surgery, one of three operations she endured this summer as she tried to return to play before the end of the season.
“My mind and body were just not matching up, so I came back for those three games in July, and my body was like ‘no girl, we’re not ready’ and then I had to go get another surgery,” Brown said during her virtual postseason exit interview on Wednesday. “The length of my absence has mostly been to my recovery from surgeries. These are my first surgeries in my entire life. … I was in too much pain to really leave my bed. Probably for 4-6 weeks, I did not leave my apartment.”
Brown said she’s in the midst of recovery.
“Day-to-day, I’m okay. I can do normal things but I’m in pain all the time and it’s been really difficult,” she said. “I can’t do any time of exercising at all, so that’s been one of the hardest parts for me too but I’m getting through it. The team was so amazing through this entire thing, the organization was amazing. They kept it all extremely private, which I appreciate so much because it was hard when people have a lot of opinions and thoughts of what was really going on.”
The ordeal, which was physically draining, was also an emotional rollercoaster for Brown, the daughter of former NBA player Dee Brown, who coached the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle and San Antonio Silver Stars in the early 2000s.
“I do cry a lot,” Brown said. “I’m not going to lie. I cry a lot in my apartment, in my bed, the shower, with my friends and family but I’ve been journaling a lot. I have an amazing sports psychologist that I’m able to chat with every now and then and just leaning on my teammates and coaches, KB (Sparks general manager Karen Bryant). Everyone has been so supportive. I’m trying to be as positive as I can every day, but when I have those down days and I feel down I allow myself to feel that way. But just knowing that I’m at the tail end of it, the worst is behind me, helps me stay positive.”
In 12 games, Brown, 28, averaged a career-high 12.4 points per game and shot 41.5% from 3-point range, statistics that had her in early consideration to be named a WNBA All-Star in her sixth season out of Duke. Brown missed a month before the 2023 All-Star break, then returned to play three games in late July before missing the remainder of the season. The Sparks (17-23) missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season, but they were 6-6 when Brown played.
“I see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Brown said. “I need to start visualizing positivity more, so I will be healthy for next season. I will be healthy for the AU (Athletes Unlimited) season after the holidays so I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
In 2024, Brown wants the Sparks to be championship contenders.
“I want this team to look like a championship team from day one, which I think is very possible,” she said. “I was extremely happy with the way I was playing prior to coming out and my role on this team, playing next to Jordin (Canada) as my point guard, having someone like Nneka down low. I just felt really comfortable out there. I’m really excited for next season. The only goal I have right now is getting healthy and getting back on the court.”
Sparks forward Azurá Stevens, who won the 2021 WNBA championship alongside Brown with the Chicago Sky, is proud of her teammate’s unwavering leadership.
“Lexie went through a lot personally but she was still there for the team, still cheering us on and I think that’s a good sign of a leader, somebody that despite what they have going on personally, they still put the team first,” Stevens said. “I definitely wish her the best this offseason with her health and excited to get back on the court with her next year.”
