SAN FRANCISCO — As 18,064 followers clad in violet shirts stuffed Chase Heart, 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 recreation in a Los Angeles Sparks uniform.
Plum scored 37 factors, essentially the most by a Sparks participant of their debut and essentially 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 recreation of no 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 we have now an important group.”
For a lot of her profession, Plum has performed alongside all-time offensive producers resembling 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 turned the staff’s No. 1 possibility.
The Sparks hoped she would assist revive a stagnant offense that triggered them so many issues final season. They lacked ample and constant scoring, in addition to a flooring common who might reliably go to gamers down low, resembling Dearica Hamby.
“I’ve spent a whole lot of time studying, significantly 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 incredible job balancing, however I am going to proceed to get higher.”
Plum spent the offseason specializing in her power and conditioning. She had the purpose of having the ability to play a full 40 minutes with tempo and work via contact — each of which she did Friday night time.
“That’s the Kelsey I’m used to,” stated Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, who was an Aces assistant coach in 2022-24. “She was in a position to get downhill to her left, one thing we talked about … however she’s fearless. She needs to get into the paint. If not, she needs an and-1. If not, she’s enjoying 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 reduce to 6 factors by the top of the third quarter.
It was throughout that stretch that the Sparks’ offense was rushed and have become “raveled,” Plum stated, highlighting that there is room for development.
“It is a new offense for everybody, so we have to be affected person,” Plum stated. “We have nonetheless bought to seek out our rhythm with that. … We will be higher at our timing and positioning, getting open. Me getting the ball to publish gamers on time and being environment friendly with that. That may get higher with time, however we have an important group of athletes.”
The fourth quarter was far much less quick and livid however noticed L.A. slowly take management via its protection and holding Golden State to solely seven factors.
“I am extremely happy with this staff’s means to take a punch and never freak out,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts stated. “Particularly profitable on the highway, it’s important to have that mentality. … We answered the bell. That exhibits psychological toughness.”
Plum was considered one of 4 Sparks gamers to attain in double figures, alongside Hamby’s 14, Rickea Jackson‘s 13 and Azura Stevens‘ 11.