The Los Angeles Sparks entered the 2026 WNBA season hoping Kelsey Plum could elevate the franchise back into playoff contention.<\/p>\n
But, they began the year 0-2, getting crushed by the Las Vegas Aces in the season opener, and following that up with a 9-point loss to the Indiana Fever. For a moment, the Sparks looked destined for another season on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in.<\/p>\n
But, winners of 3 of their last 4 games, Los Angeles is beginning to look like a team that could make some noise, and Plum is the driving force behind why.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old is averaging 26.8 points and 6.3 assists per game, while shooting a scorching-hot 58.9% from the field and 48.8% from three-point range. That\u2019s an unprecedented start; Plum is the first player in WNBA history to begin a season with four straight 25-point games while shooting better than 55% from the field. As it currently stands, she\u2019s also the WNBA\u2019s leading scorer, while averaging the fifth-most assists per game in the league.<\/p>\n
And, she put together her most dominant offensive performance on Saturday night, exploding for a season-high 38 points (on 12-17 shooting) and 9 assists in a 101-95 win against her former Aces squad. That spurred Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts to praise Plum\u2019s overall play \u2014 and wonder why she hasn\u2019t received more widespread recognition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI personally don\u2019t think she gets talked about enough in the best player conversations, those MVP conversations,\u201d Roberts said after. \u201cFor whatever reason, she doesn\u2019t get talked about enough, and it\u2019s kind of an injustice.\u201d<\/p>\n
In truth, Plum would likely be in those conversations if the Sparks were a more winning team. And, if the last few games are any indication, they could be headed there.<\/p>\n
Has leaving Las Vegas paid off for Kelsey Plum? <\/p>\n
Plum made the decision to leave the Aces a year ago. On paper, that decision may have looked like a mistake in the short-term; the Aces went on to win their third title in four seasons, while Plum\u2019s Sparks missed postseason action in her first year at the helm.<\/p>\n
But, for Plum herself, the challenge of elevating a struggling organization was a pursuit in and of itself, a challenge she\u2019d find personally gratifying.<\/p>\n