“I want to win. It’s that simple.” The new coach, Lynn Roberts, declared ahead of the season. The LA Sparks may have been picking up pieces from the dreaded last season, but she wasn’t shying away from aiming for a winning record. They had the young front-court duo, they had a promising acquisition in Kelsey Plum, and veteran guard Odyssey Sims who led with ‘weather the storm’ mentality. But 7 games in, the team is yet to find its footing, and if Plum’s recent admission were to suggest anything, the Sparks have a long way to go. 

With the three-way trade deal in late January, Kelsey Plum went from being a secondary player at the Las Vegas Aces to a leader in a rebuilding. 7 seasons she called it her home, winning 2 championships and making 3 All-Star teams. “The friendships I formed here, I’ll hold onto forever,” she wrote as she departed from the city. So when her former team and the new faced each other, there was a perceived rivalry. More so, with the presence of Dearica Hamby, too, who had exited the franchise with a bad taste. 

But Plum is not standing for that narrative. While her forward may have called it a rivalry in one of the previous interviews, the University of Washington alumna was quick to shut that all down.

In a courtside interview, when asked if there was something brewing, Plum got real. “It’s not a rivalry, they’ve kicked our a–,” she began. “So, like, until we win at least 6 or 7 more matchups, it can’t be a rivalry. That’s like the Giants and Jets… respectfully, it can’t be a rivalry. What it’s like in the last 5 years, 16 and 2 or something. So, like, thanks for trying.” 

Plum was pretty close in her guess. It has been 3 of 18 in the last five years, and all those have been in the past two years. Even if you zoom out and look at all-time records, it’s now 57-47 after years of Aces domination. In the playoffs, the Aces are ahead by 5-2, so the Sparks haven’t been close since 2019. The Giants’ Jets comparison is pretty accurate, too, with regard to how the timeline goes. The Giants were dominating till 2011, but haven’t won since.

Granted Vegas and LA face each other way more times each year, the trajectory of the rivalry has been the same. And she was proven right on the court as the Aces dominated the Sparks in their first clash this season, winning 96-81. A’ja Wilson was back at it with 35 points, 6 assists and 13 rebounds. And while Plum tried to keep the game competitive, the wall of the Aces was too high even for her. 

Ironically, the very dominance the Sparks are now trying to build for themselves was something Kelsey Plum helped to enforce during her time with the Las Vegas Aces. As a key contributor to one of the league’s most formidable dynasties in recent years, Plum consistently posed a major challenge for Los Angeles, averaging 14.0 points and 3.8 assists per game against them.

Kelsey Plum’s realistic approach will be a valuable asset for the Los Angeles Sparks as they navigate the early stages of a much-needed rebuild. After a turbulent few seasons marked by inconsistency and roster turnover, the Sparks have shown early signs of progress, starting the season with a 2-4 record. While they still can’t quite go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Las Vegas Aces yet, they need to form a foundation before they become a contender. 

Plum has come out strong, averaging an impressive 25.7 points and 5.5 assists per game through the first six matchups. Beyond the raw numbers, she’s been the engine behind the Sparks’ offense. Her court vision and shot-making ability have given the Sparks a reliable go-to option, something the team has lacked in recent years. And as she makes herself at home here, Vegas hasn’t deterred in its admiration for her. 

Plum still respected and loved in Vegas 

After 6 seasons in Vegas, Plum has seen for a number of years A’ja Wilson being the anchor everyone can rely on. Plum wanted to lead a side herself. There is no animosity but a sheer need to compete. The Vegas camp understands that and the coach demonstrated her respect before the game. 

“Plum requires special defense. She’s just too elite of a player to just let her do whatever she wants,” Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “A lot of (our former) players, we’ll just play them like any other opponent. [Plum], because of how good she is, we’re going to have to do things a little bit differently with her. But it’s not personal.”

The fans at Michelob Ultra Arena welcomed Kelsey Plum back with a mix of emotion, admiration, and enduring loyalty. Signs scattered throughout the stands read, “Once an Ace, always an Ace,” a simple phrase that carried the weight of championships, record-setting performances, and years of shared triumphs. It was more than just a homecoming—it was a reminder of the legacy Plum left behind and the respect she earned during her time with the Aces. Her return, though now in the jersey of a conference rival, did nothing to diminish the bond she built with the Las Vegas faithful.

Although the Aces couldn’t completely shut down their former star, they did manage to limit Kelsey Plum more effectively than most. Plum finished with 17 points and 3 assists, which are solid numbers by most standards but a noticeable dip compared to her recent performances.

For Las Vegas, the win served as a powerful response to their earlier loss against the Seattle Storm. They came out with renewed energy and purpose, using their depth and defensive intensity to dominate the Sparks from the opening tip. They will now be back against the Storm in the next game, while the Sparks aim for that winning record facing the Mercury.