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Sparks star Kelsey Plum out at least one week

5/27/2026

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Summary

Plum Injured

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum will miss at least one week after spraining her ankle in Tuesday practice.
Plum leads the WNBA with 26.8 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 59% overall.
She scored a season-high 38 points in a 101–95 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
Plum will be re-evaluated in a week.
She says she is trying to be patient and trusts coach Lynne Roberts.

Summary

Roberts Promotes Wheeler

Coach Lynne Roberts will promote Erica Wheeler to starting point guard after Plum’s injury.
A week-long break lets the Sparks integrate backup guard Kate Martin, signed on a development contract.
Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike, absent in the win over the Aces, is slated to return.
The roster shift allows the Sparks to test new lineups in games versus Washington, Connecticut and Las Vegas.

Summary

Plum Scores

The Sparks beat defending champion Las Vegas Aces 101-95, moving to 3-3 on the season.
Kelsey Plum posted a career-high 38 points and nine assists against her former team.
Plum is shooting 58.9% overall and 48.8% from three-point range through six games.
Offseason signings Nneka Ogwumike and Ariel Atkins joined Plum, who has missed only four games in four seasons.

Summary

Plum Traded

The 2025 offseason trade sent Plum from the Las Vegas Aces to the Los Angeles Sparks, beginning her second season there.
Plum won two WNBA championships with the Aces, earned Sixth Player of the Year in 2021, and was an All-Star from 2022 to 2025.
At 31, she entered her ninth season after 284 games (242 starts) and averages 15.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds.

History

Historical Context

In 2002, the Los Angeles Sparks captured their second WNBA title, defeating the New York Liberty 2-0 in the Finals. Star center Lisa Leslie averaged 19.5 points and 9.9 rebounds that postseason, while the team posted a 27-5 regular-season record. Similarly, 2025 guard Kelsey Plum, the Sparks’ leading scorer at 26.8 points per game, missed a week with a sprained ankle, prompting coach Lynne Roberts to adjust the roster. The franchise’s track record of thriving after star injuries suggests integrating Erica Wheeler and rookie Kate Martin can sustain playoff hopes despite Plum’s temporary loss.

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Plum Injured

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum will miss at least one week after spraining her ankle in Tuesday practice.
Plum leads the WNBA with 26.8 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 59% overall.
She scored a season-high 38 points in a 101–95 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
Plum will be re-evaluated in a week.
She says she is trying to be patient and trusts coach Lynne Roberts.

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