Sparks’ Kelsey Plum Out with Ankle Injury
The Los Angeles Sparks have announced that Kelsey Plum sprained her ankle during practice on Tuesday afternoon. She is set to be reevaluated in about a week and is expected to miss at least three games, possibly more. The team has upcoming matchups against the Washington Mystics, Connecticut Sun, and Las Vegas Aces.
Missing Plum, who is arguably the Sparks’ best player and one of the top players in the WNBA, creates a significant challenge. Plum is the league’s all-time leading scorer, boasting an impressive average of 26.8 points per game. In the first six games of the season, she’s shooting at 58.9 percent from the field and nearly 49 percent from beyond the arc, along with averaging 6.3 assists per game, positioning her fifth in the league in that category.
Currently at a .500 record of 3-3, the Sparks have managed to win three of their last four games, having begun the season with a disappointing 0-3. However, Plum’s absence complicates things further. The other guards on the roster—Ray Brell, Ariel Atkins, Erica Wheeler, Chance Gray, and Tanya Latson—will have to step up, but it’s unlikely any will replicate Plum’s scoring ability.
Wheeler, in particular, will have to take on an expanded role as a playmaker. Despite averaging 5.5 points and 4.8 assists over 27 minutes per game, she is expected to handle the ball more frequently now that Plum is sidelined.
Key Players to Step Up
Dearika Hamby and Nneka Ogwumike will also be crucial during this time. Hamby is currently averaging 18.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while Ogwumike contributes 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. Both must increase their output in Plum’s absence.
On a positive note, Cameron Brink seems to be finding her rhythm. After tearing her ACL shortly after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2024 draft, she has returned to the court fully healthy and has been making an impact. In the recent 101-95 win over the Las Vegas Aces, Brink scored 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and this marked her fourth double-digit scoring game in five outings. While her playing style differs from Plum’s, her contributions are becoming increasingly vital.
The good news for the Sparks is that Plum’s ankle sprain doesn’t appear to be a long-term issue, so she’s expected to return sooner rather than later. Still, the team now faces the challenge of managing without one of the league’s top scorers.
