From almost having an MVP-caliber season to now being out of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, it has been a frustrating season for Kelsey Plum, to say the least. Injuries have been Plum’s kryptonite this year, and after sustaining another lower leg injury right before the 17-day WNBA break, Plum will now miss what is left of the WNBA season and, in addition, the World Cup itself.
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In the wake of Monday morning’s heartbreaking news, Plum wrote a heartfelt message on her Instagram about her inability to be back on the hardwood for either the league or Team USA on the biggest international stage in women’s basketball.
“I did everything I could to be back on the court, but just ran out of time. After careful consideration with my family, my team doctors, coaching staff and front office, the decision has been made to shut it down through the remainder of the season and focus on getting my body back to 100%,” Plum wrote on her Instagram story.
“Additionally, I won’t be able to represent Team USA in Berlin over the next two weeks. This is not an easy decision as I love to compete, but I know it’s the right one for the long term.”
Plum was off to an amazing start with the Los Angeles Sparks at the start of the season, so much so that she was rivaling four-time MVP A’ja Wilson in the scoring charts. Through her efforts, she also earned her fifth All-Star selection, but that was more or less the end of the road for her second season with the Sparks.
Initially, Plum only missed three games for the Sparks after suffering an ankle sprain on May 26. However, eight games after she returned, Plum was once again sidelined, this time for six weeks, with a left leg injury on June 21.
On August 2, Plum was traded to the Phoenix Mercury. What was supposed to be a move that would revive the Mercury and book their ticket to the playoffs was ultimately a failure for all involved, as Plum was once again sidelined with lower leg tightness after playing only four games. This incident was a direct consequence of what happened in the previous game against the Washington Mystics on August 9.
With 9:19 remaining in the second quarter, Plum went down near half court after Mystics guard Georgia Amoore pushed Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb into Plum. While the Mercury star was able to continue somewhat, we did not see her in the second half as head coach Nate Tibbetts “wanted to be safe.”
Naturally, Plum was not featured in the lineup against her former team, the Sparks, on August 11. So in total, Plum has played only five games for the Mercury, who are way out of playoff contention. She averaged 15.8 points and 2.8 assists for her new side during this time period.
As for her trip to Berlin, Germany, with Team USA, Plum is now replaced by Washington Mystics sensation Sonia Citron.
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Now that Plum is gone for the season, all attention will be on her during the offseason. Along with her recovery, Plum is planning to test out free agency, wanting a fresh start with the new season.
However, it remains to be seen if the 32-year-old would like to stay at the Mercury or not next year. For WNBA and Mercury legend Diana Taurasi, it makes the most sense for her to re-sign.
“My pitch to Plum? Where else would you rather be? You’ve tried the rest,” Taurasi told the media on August 16.
It has certainly been a year of what-ifs for Kelsey Plum. But even after all the setbacks, Plum ended her statement on a positive note, as she now seems more motivated than ever to be back on the hardwood.
“I’ll be back, smiling, better than ever. See you soon, KP.” Plum concluded her message.