Kelsey Plum is officially ruled out for the Sparks’ first game back after the WNBA All-Star break, still battling that lower left leg injury. Talk about a gut punch when you’re trying to reset the season. The good news? While she didn’t hit practice with the squad on Monday, after it wrapped, Plum was out there, on the court, getting some work in. She was even getting shots up. That’s the stuff we wanna hear.
The Clock Is Ticking For Plum’s Return
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts is clearly seeing the grind Plum is putting in. She told reporters Plum is “working her tail off” and that she’s “getting close.” That’s a shot of hope for a team that desperately needs its best player back. Yeah, it’s a bummer she’s missing *another* game, especially the Tuesday matchup against the Liberty, but every bit of on-court work is a step in the right direction. Getting ruled out for Tuesday actually gives her a few extra days. The Sparks don’t play again until Sunday when they hit the road to take on the Fire. That’s the rest of the week for Plum to just lock in on her health, get her body right, and push towards a possible return.
This Team Dies Without Its Star
Kelsey Plum’s importance to the Sparks cannot be overstated. When she’s playing, this team is a solid 7-5. That’s a winning record, folks. But when she’s sidelined? They slump to a brutal 3-11. You can’t just lose your best player and expect to keep rolling. The numbers don’t lie. Just look at the last ten games Plum has missed: the Sparks have gone a dismal 2-8. They’re on a five-game losing streak right now, their longest of the season. Plum is their engine, their everything. She’s leading LA in both points *and* assists, dropping 23.9 points and dishing out 6.4 assists per game. She’s an All-Star reserve, even if she couldn’t play in the game due to this injury. And don’t forget, this isn’t her first rodeo with injuries this season either. She had an ankle sprain in late May that cost her three games. It’s a rough run.
Time To Stack Wins, Starting Sunday
It’s now or never for the Sparks. They’re four games behind the eight-seed Mystics, and if they want any shot at the playoffs, they absolutely have to start stacking wins. Plum playing gives them the best possible chance to make the postseason for the first time since 2020. So, let’s hope this is the last time we hear about her being ruled out. The team starts a three-game road trip this weekend, and we’re all looking forward to Kelsey Plum finally leaving those street clothes in the locker room and suiting up. Get healthy, Plum, the team needs you back ASAP!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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