Kelsey Plum needed to be carried off the practice court, which had alarm bells ringing in LA. The Sparks were practically carried by Plum’s 26.8 points and 6.3 assists per game to a 3-3 record. With Nneka Owumike recovering as well, panic formed around the Sparks. However, the details regarding Plum’s injury were uncovered and it was not as serious as fans might have thought. Yet, Plum is dedicating herself to a quick return. 

The concerns go deeper as she injured her Achilles back in 2020. She had to miss an entire season rehabbing and recovering through that. Initial fear was that this injury is in the same ankle as that. Fortunately, Kelsey Plum was only diagnosed with a right leg ankle sprain during practice. Coach Lynne Roberts has revealed that even with a non-serious injury, Plum is doing everything possible to expedite her return.

“KP (Plum) is a competitor. I’ve seen her attack this,” Roberts told the media ahead of the Mystics game. “I think she was more pissed off that she got injured. The frustration was that, and there’s nothing that she’s fearful of. So, she’s attacking this thing like crazy. She’s back in L.A., so she’s using all the resources we have there; we had people stay back.”

Plum has always been the epitome of competitiveness, even as a child. She used to compete with her dad as a nine-year-old and practice her shot for hours. And that intensity is ingrained in her right from the beginning. “She is the most competitive person I’ve ever met,” her former coach Terri Bamford has said. “It doesn’t really matter what it is; she’ll compete in anything, any little game, anything we’re doing.”

“Plum dawg” carried that energy through college and the WNBA. She even faced some issues gelling with her team during the freshman year and was termed ‘selfish.’ But now she has matured over the years and channels that intensity to her leadership and production. 

“From talking with KP, she sounds really good,” Roberts further said. “One thing that I know about her, she’s not gonna feel sorry for herself or sit around and not be treating 24/7, which is what she’s doing. Hope to get her back soon. We’ll see. Just one day at a time.”

So it seems that there is no mental block for Plum’s past injuries or this one. In the first game without her, they managed to go past the Washington Mystics 92-87 to extend their winning streak to 3 games.

After Kelsey Plum Injury, Lynne Roberts Makes Key Starting Lineup Call

The LA Sparks boss had made it clear that it’s impossible to replace Kelsey Plum in this starting lineup. She was playing at an MVP level and Roberts emphasized that they will try and compensate “by committee.” But the coach had to get in a replacement in the starting lineup. And she made it clear who her first choice was: Rae Burrell. 

“I think we’re turning to the rookies,” Roberts said. “These new players need to bring it. Rae was the obvious choice. She’s a starter in this league, and she started the first several games for us. She’s had a great week, so it’s her spot. It was a no-brainer.”

So, Erica Wheeler moved to the point guard spot as Burrell came in. However, she struggled against the Mystics, scoring just 4 points and adding 2 rebounds and an assist. She has averaged 8 points and 2.4 rebounds across the season and will need to step up. 

Fortunately in this case, Burrell’s quiet outing did not matter. Wheeler stepped up with 21 points and 8 assists, while Ogwumike returned with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Cameron Brink gave the punch from the bench with 16 points, while Dearica Hamby added 14 points.  This game had positive signs for the Sparks, who had 23 assists even without Plum. If the Sparks manage to improve and maintain their positive record until Plum comes back, this team might just take that step they desire.