WNBA: Why the Sparks’ Kelsey Plum deserves to be an All-Star

When the Los Angeles Sparks traded their No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to acquire Kelsey Plum, the idea was that she would be the answer to the backcourt woes that have plagued the franchise for most of the 2020s.

As we edge closer to the halfway point of the year, it’s clear Plum has been all that and more for Los Angeles.

On pure stats, her production stands out. Plum is averaging 20.4 points, 5.4 assists and playing 36.1 minutes per game. She leads the team in scoring, assists and plays more than any other Sparks player—and any other player in the league. As a two-time champion, she immediately brought a level of respect and aura to Los Angeles, but, despite popular belief, that’s not enough to make it in the City of Angels.

To be loved here, you must be a winner. The spotlight in LA is a magnifying glass. If that heat burns you, then your time in California will be short-lived. So far, Plum is showing she has what it takes not just to survive, but to thrive.

Plum hit the ground running in purple and gold

Plum demonstrated her readiness for this increase in responsibility as a Spark during her debut game. LA beat the Golden State Valkyries 84-67 as she scored 37 points, the most by a Sparks player in their first game. Plum also added six assists and five steals. She became the first WNBA player with a game of at least 35 points, five assists and five steals.

Plum accomplished all this while taking literally no time off, playing all 40 minutes.

While that amount of play is far from ideal, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts talked before their next contest about Plum being up for that challenge, emphasizing:

Kelsey’s fitness and strength and conditioning is otherworldly, so she told me after that happened, “Hey, I can play 40. Take me out if I’m doing something wrong, but don’t take me [out] because you think I’m tired.”

How Plum makes herself and others better

Plum has done everything you could want as the leader and driving force that propels this franchise forward.

As an on-ball creator, she can get herself going and still remain the team’s assist leader. Plum is constantly working with Dearica Hamby in actions, and even with Plum taking a team-high 16.5 field goal attempts, she has helped ensure Hamby has remained effective, averaging 16.4 points per game.

Other players are also shining in 2025 with the Sparks in ways they haven’t before. Azurá Stevens is off to the best start of her career, and Plum is a big reason why. Teams are giving Plum a lot of attention. They are collapsing on her the moment she touches the paint, and even through that physicality, she is finding Stevens for open looks.

On the 57 assisted field goals Stevens has converted on this season, 16 of those makes are coming off of Plum passes. That’s the most by any player on the Sparks.

Plum also delivers assists off the court

With only 13 WNBA franchises, being the face of one requires more than just a warm smile and buckets. One must do the intangibles that impact culture.

Plum has done all that and more for this young team that knows how to lose, but is learning how to win. She has clearly led by example with her production. But she’s also used her voice to draw attention to discrepancies. After a tough 89-81 overtime loss to the Valkyries, she spent her press conference calling out the officiating and asking for fairness.

Plum pointed to calls being missed for herself, Rickea Jackson and even told Roberts she’d pay her fine if any comments during the presser warranted a penalty from the WNBA.

While Plum handles the serious topics like officiating well, she’s also been an ideal veteran presence for rookies like Sarah Ashlee Barker. She not only guides the young guard on how to be a pro, but she’s also helped her with things as simple as getting the right equipment.

During training camp, Plum realized Barker had an old pair of Sabrina Ionescu kicks. After learning that the rookie was struggling to get new pairs, she made the call to Ionescu and got her hooked up.

Once the story was made public, Barker talked about how much she appreciated the assist from her point guard.

When you add up Plum’s career high production, her ability to make those around her better on the court and her leadership off of it, it’s clear she is deserving of her fourth All-Star selection. She has never been asked to do more, and despite that demand, she has consistently delivered.

The Sparks are still in a dark time in their franchise’s history, but Plum is bringing some light to Southern California as they attempt to climb up the WNBA hierarchy.