Kelsey Plum Shines in Sparks Debut, Setting Records and Expectations
SAN FRANCISCO — The atmosphere at Chase Center was nothing short of electric as 18,064 fans, all decked out in violet shirts, gathered to witness the Golden State Valkyries‘ season opener. This event marked the second-highest-attended home debut in WNBA history, and it was a night to remember for more reasons than one. The spotlight was firmly on Kelsey Plum, who made a dazzling debut in her new Los Angeles Sparks uniform.
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, reflecting on her stellar performance. She shot 11-of-19 from the field and was a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. “I love basketball. I love to play basketball. Just compete, and we have a great group.”
Throughout her career, Plum has been surrounded by some of the best offensive talents, including three-time MVP A’ja Wilson during her six-season tenure with the Las Vegas Aces. However, her move to Los Angeles this offseason has positioned her as the team’s primary offensive option.
The Sparks were in dire need of a revitalized offense after struggling with scoring consistency last season. They also lacked a reliable floor general to facilitate plays for 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 resilience throughout a full 40-minute game. Her hard work paid off on Friday night.
“That is the Kelsey I am used to,” said Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, who previously worked with Plum as an Aces assistant coach from 2022-24. “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 driven by Plum’s 15 points, extending their lead to 15 points. 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 said. “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 a more controlled pace, with Los Angeles gradually asserting dominance through their defense, 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 said. “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, alongside Hamby with 14, Rickea Jackson with 13, and Azura Stevens with 11.
Originally Written by: Kendra Andrews
