Kelsey Plum’s Injury Extends Recovery After Mid-Season Trade to Phoenix

Five-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum has been sidelined since a lower-left-leg issue that began on June 21. The injury kept her out of the Phoenix Mercury’s win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, and coach Nate Tibbetts confirmed on Friday that she will also miss the Sunday matchup with the Portland Fire. The team plans to reassess her condition in the coming days to determine whether she can suit up for the next scheduled game against the Atlanta Dream later in August.

Newsweek

Plum was dealt from the Sparks to the Mercury earlier this month, becoming only the fourth WNBA All-Star ever traded mid-season. In return, Los Angeles acquired guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round draft pick, and a 2028 second-round pick. Before the trade, Plum was averaging a career-high 23.9 points and 6.4 assists per game. In her first three appearances with Phoenix, she posted 64 total points, showing little rust despite missing more than a month of play. She logged just 14 minutes before exiting the Mercury’s 95-75 loss to the Washington Mystics.

Newsweek

During Friday’s practice, Plum participated only in conditioning drills and did not engage in full-court five-on-five play. Tibbetts emphasized a “safety-first” approach, indicating that the coaching staff will monitor her progress over the next couple of days before making a decision about her return. No timeline beyond the August game has been provided.

Newsweek

Plum’s absence removes a primary scoring and play-making option for the Mercury, who have relied on her 23.9-point average to stay competitive. The delay in her return could affect Phoenix’s positioning heading into the latter part of the season, especially as the team prepares for upcoming contests against conference rivals. The Mercury will need to adjust rotations and rely on other contributors while awaiting a clearance for Plum to rejoin the lineup.

Newsweek