Kelsey Plum Shines in Sparks Debut, Setting New WNBA Season Opener Record
In a thrilling start to the WNBA season, the Golden State Valkyries hosted their season opener at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The arena was a sea of violet, with 18,064 fans in attendance, marking the second-highest-attended home debut in WNBA history. But the night truly belonged to Kelsey Plum, who made a spectacular debut for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Plum’s performance was nothing short of historic. She scored 37 points, setting a new record for the most points by a Sparks player in their debut and the most by any WNBA player in a season opener. Her impressive stats didn’t stop there; she also recorded six assists and five steals, making her the first WNBA player to achieve a game with at least 35 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals.
“The mentality for me tonight was really just come out and have fun,” Plum said after the game. “I love basketball. I love to play basketball. Just compete, and we have a great group.” Her shooting was on point, going 11-of-19 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line.
Throughout her career, Plum has been surrounded by top-tier talent, including three-time MVP A’ja Wilson during her six seasons with the Las Vegas Aces. However, her move to Los Angeles this offseason has positioned her as the team’s primary offensive weapon.
The Sparks were in dire need of a boost to their offense, which had struggled with consistency and lacked a reliable floor general. Plum’s arrival was seen as a potential solution to these issues, particularly in providing effective passes to players like Dearica Hamby.
“I have spent a lot of time learning, particularly from A’ja,” Plum shared. “Watching her pick her spots and just being intentional about when to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive. I don’t think I did a tremendous job balancing, but I’ll continue to get better.”
Plum dedicated her offseason to improving her strength and conditioning, aiming to maintain her pace and handle contact throughout a full 40-minute game. Her efforts paid off, as demonstrated in her performance on Friday night.
“That is the Kelsey I am used to,” said Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, who previously worked with Plum as an assistant coach for the Aces from 2022 to 2024. “She was able to get downhill to her left, something we talked about … but she’s fearless. She wants to get into the paint. If not, she wants an and-1. If not, she’s playing off two feet or she’s getting to a step-back 3. That’s the Kelsey that I know.”
The Sparks started the second half with a 20-8 run, largely thanks to Plum’s 15 points, building a 15-point lead. However, the Valkyries’ Julie Vanloo responded with three consecutive 3-pointers, narrowing the gap to six points by the end of the third quarter.
During this period, the Sparks’ offense appeared rushed and “disheveled,” as Plum described, indicating areas for improvement. “This is a new offense for everyone, so we’ve got to be patient,” Plum explained. “We’ve still got to find our rhythm with that. … We’re going to be better at our timing and positioning, getting open. Me getting the ball to post players on time and being efficient with that. That will get better with time, but we’ve got a great group of athletes.”
The fourth quarter saw the Sparks regain control, primarily through their defensive efforts, limiting Golden State to just seven points. “I’m incredibly proud of this team’s ability to take a punch and not freak out,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts commented. “Especially winning on the road, you have to have that mentality. … We answered the bell. That shows mental toughness.”
Plum was one of four Sparks players to score in double figures, with Hamby contributing 14 points, Rickea Jackson adding 13, and Azura Stevens chipping in 11.
- Kelsey Plum’s debut sets new WNBA records.
- Los Angeles Sparks’ offense shows potential for growth.
- Golden State Valkyries’ strong fan support at Chase Center.
Originally Written by: Kendra Andrews
