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Plum 20 Powers Phoenix Past Chicago, Trade Sparks Future

8/5/2026

42 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Kelsey Plum posted 20 points as Phoenix beat Chicago 106-101 on August 3, 2026.
The trade that sent Plum from the Sparks to Phoenix also gave the Mercury Monique Akoa Makani and 2027 first-round and 2028 second-round picks.
Coach Nate Tibbetts praised Plum’s go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute after one shootaround, while teammates Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper said her scoring could form a “big three” if she re-signs.

History

Historical Context

When the WNBA began in 1997, the Houston Comets captured the league’s first four championships (1997-2000) behind Cynthia Cooper’s Finals MVP streak, establishing a “big-three” model. Phoenix’s 2026 trade for Kelsey Plum seeks to recreate that formula, echoing the Mercury’s own 2007 title run that set a league-record 89.0 points per game. The move reflects the league’s long-standing reliance on star-laden cores to drive growth.

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Story summary

Kelsey Plum posted 20 points as Phoenix beat Chicago 106-101 on August 3, 2026.
The trade that sent Plum from the Sparks to Phoenix also gave the Mercury Monique Akoa Makani and 2027 first-round and 2028 second-round picks.
Coach Nate Tibbetts praised Plum’s go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute after one shootaround, while teammates Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper said her scoring could form a “big three” if she re-signs.

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