SAN FRANCISCO — As 18,064 followers clad in violet shirts crammed Chase Middle, making the Golden State Valkyries’ season opener the second-highest-attended dwelling debut in WNBA historical past, Kelsey Plum made a little bit of historical past of her personal in her first sport in a Los Angeles Sparks uniform.
Plum scored 37 factors, probably the most by a Sparks participant of their debut and probably the most by any WNBA participant in a season opener. Her six assists and 5 steals additionally made her the primary WNBA participant with a sport of not less than 35 factors, 5 assists and 5 steals.
“The mentality for me tonight was actually simply come out and have enjoyable,” stated Plum, who shot 11-of-19 from the sphere and 11-of-11 from the free throw line. “I really like basketball. I like to play basketball. Simply compete, and now we have an excellent group.”
For a lot of her profession, Plum has performed alongside all-time offensive producers comparable to three-time MVP A’ja Wilson throughout her six-season stint with the Las Vegas Aces. However when Plum arrived in Los Angeles this offseason, she immediately grew to become the group’s No. 1 choice.
The Sparks hoped she would assist revive a stagnant offense that brought about them so many issues final season. They lacked ample and constant scoring, in addition to a ground common who might reliably go to gamers down low, comparable to Dearica Hamby.
“I’ve spent a number of time studying, notably from A’ja,” Plum stated. “Watching her choose her spots and simply being intentional about when to be aggressive, when to not be aggressive. I do not assume I did an amazing job balancing, however I will proceed to get higher.”
Plum spent the offseason specializing in her energy and conditioning. She had the purpose of with the ability to play a full 40 minutes with tempo and work by contact — each of which she did Friday evening.
“That’s the Kelsey I’m used to,” stated Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, who was an Aces assistant coach in 2022-24. “She was capable of get downhill to her left, one thing we talked about … however she’s fearless. She desires to get into the paint. If not, she desires an and-1. If not, she’s taking part in off two ft, or she’s attending to a step-back 3. That is the Kelsey that I do know.”
Los Angeles started the season half on a 20-8 run, fueled by 15 factors from Plum to construct a 15-point lead. However three consecutive 3-pointers from the Valkyries’ Julie Vanloo noticed that lead minimize to 6 factors by the top of the third quarter.
It was throughout that stretch that the Sparks’ offense was rushed and have become “matted,” Plum stated, highlighting that there is room for development.
“It is a new offense for everybody, so we have got to be affected person,” Plum stated. “We have nonetheless received to seek out our rhythm with that. … We’ll be higher at our timing and positioning, getting open. Me getting the ball to submit gamers on time and being environment friendly with that. That may get higher with time, however we have got an excellent group of athletes.”
The fourth quarter was far much less quick and livid however noticed L.A. slowly take management by its protection and holding Golden State to solely seven factors.
“I am extremely happy with this group’s potential to take a punch and never freak out,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts stated. “Particularly successful on the highway, you must have that mentality. … We answered the bell. That reveals psychological toughness.”
Plum was one in every of 4 Sparks gamers to attain in double figures, alongside Hamby’s 14, Rickea Jackson’s 13 and Azura Stevens’ 11.
