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Sparks Trade Kelsey Plum to Phoenix, Seek Playoff Win

8/6/2026

26 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sparks Seek Win

The Los Angeles Sparks will host the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night despite the Sky’s injury concerns.
Chicago lists Sydney Taylor as questionable (left groin) and has Skylar Diggins, Azurá Stevens and Rickea Jackson out, while Los Angeles, injury-free, will debut Monique Akoa Makani.
The Sparks are five games behind the #8 seed Washington Mystics and need a win to stay in the playoff race.

Summary

Plum Traded

LA Sparks traded Kelsey Plum to Phoenix Mercury for Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round and a 2028 second-round pick.
Plum is under contract for the season, will become a free agent afterward, and plans to test free agency.
Mercury GM Nick U’Ren said the addition of Plum, the league’s fourth mid-season All-Star trade, fits team, while analysts gave the deal a “D” for Phoenix because of lost pick and uncertain stay.

History

Historical Context

When the WNBA launched in 1997 with eight teams, the Houston Comets captured the first title, beating the New York Liberty 65-51 behind Finals MVP Cynthia Cooper. That early dominance showed how player moves could reshape the league. Today, the Los Angeles Sparks vie for a playoff berth while the injury-hit Chicago Sky and a Phoenix Mercury trade echo the inaugural season’s impact on roster strategy.

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Sparks Seek Win

The Los Angeles Sparks will host the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night despite the Sky’s injury concerns.
Chicago lists Sydney Taylor as questionable (left groin) and has Skylar Diggins, Azurá Stevens and Rickea Jackson out, while Los Angeles, injury-free, will debut Monique Akoa Makani.
The Sparks are five games behind the #8 seed Washington Mystics and need a win to stay in the playoff race.

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