No doubt, the 2025 season kicked off with a bang for the LA Sparks, especially for Kelsey Plum, who lit up the court with 37 points on a scorching 67% shooting from beyond the arc in the season opener against the Golden State Valkyries. Her performance powered the Sparks to a dominant 84–67 win, and fans were buzzing with excitement about what was to come.

But as the games rolled on, reality hit hard as the Sparks stumbled to a 4-9 record, and what started with promise quickly turned into a season filled with questions. Now sitting 10th in the standings, many are wondering: What went wrong? Well, the answer isn’t simple, but a big part of it comes down to injuries. LA’s roster has been hit repeatedly, with several key players sidelined at different points in the season.

Even Plum Dawg herself, the engine of the team, was forced to miss games recently due to a leg injury. Still, as the saying goes, it’s never too late. The Sparks may be down, but they’re far from out as they’ve still got a chance to climb up the rankings.

Is Kelsey Plum playing against the Minnesota Lynx?

No doubt, it’s going to be a crucial game for the LA Sparks, as it marks the beginning of a three-game road trip. And they’re opening against the best team in the Western Conference this season. The only way to claw out of this tough stretch? It might just be Plum Dawg time.

Well, the good news is that Kelsey Plum is not listed on the Sparks’ injury report for Saturday, according to the latest update from the team. That means the former Aces star is set to make her return to the Sparks’ lineup against the Lynx from a leg injury. This will mark her comeback since she missed the previous outing against the Seattle Storm,

Notably, Plum had appeared in 12 games in her Sparks debut season, logging nearly 36 minutes per game before getting injured. And not just that, she’s been putting up career-high numbers: 20.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, with shooting splits of 38.4% from the field, 37.4% from three, and 89% from the free-throw line.

So while Plum’s back, it had also resulted in a major roster change as the Sparks waived Grace Berger, who was signed on a hardship contract during Plum’s absence and made her debut in Tuesday’s loss to Seattle. Still, despite Plum’s return, the Sparks are far from full strength.

They’ll be without four key players: Rae Burrell, Cameron Brink, Odyssey Sims, and Julie Allemand.

• Rae suffered a right leg injury just 41 seconds into the season opener against Golden State on May 17. Thankfully, the injury didn’t require surgery, but she’s been ruled out for 6–8 weeks and is expected to return by late June or early July.
• Cameron Brink has been out since sustaining a devastating ACL and meniscus tear in her left knee during a game against the Connecticut Sun in June 2024. That season-ending injury also ruled her out of the Paris Olympics. She’s making steady progress in rehab but remains sidelined.
• Odyssey Sims continues to be absent due to personal reasons. She was once again ruled out for the June 21 matchup against the Lynx, marking her third consecutive missed game. While no specific details have been shared, it’s clear she’s managing something away from the court.
• Julie Allemand is also unavailable as she represents Belgium in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 tournament, running from June 18–29. Her WNBA contract has been temporarily suspended while she competes, and she is expected to return after her international duties conclude.

But, despite being shorthanded, the Sparks might still have a fighting chance, because the Lynx aren’t at full strength either. They are coming up without Napheesa Collier and Jessica Shepard, two vital pieces of their rotation. Well, Collier exited the June 17 game against Las Vegas after grabbing her lower back in the third quarter and hasn’t played since. As of June 20, she remains day-to-day and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

Meanwhile, Jessica Shepard has also been out since June 11 due to a contract suspension while she competes for Slovenia in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket tournament. She’s expected to be unavailable for several more weeks. So, this matchup will feature two teams battling without their full rosters, but both will be hungry for a win. With Plum back and the Lynx missing key players, the Sparks just might be able to flip the script.

Here’s the starting five for tomorrow’s game!

So, who’s starting for Sparks tomorrow? Here’s the lineup stepping up:

• Kelsey Plum
• Odyssey Sims
• Rickea Jackson
• Azure Stevens
• Dearica Hamby

And for Lynx, we’ve got:

• Courtney Williams
• Kayla McBride
• Bridget Carleton
• Natisha Hiedeman
• Alanna Smith

Game day outlook: Sparks vs. Lynx

Well, Lynx are rolling, and they don’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon. After an impressive 76–62 win over the Aces, fueled by a 20-point night from Courtney Williams, the Lynx are coming into this game with serious confidence. Why not? That win marked their second straight, and with only one loss on the season so far, they look every bit like the 2024 finalists they were.

But, it isn’t really their talent but the unselfish style that makes them a top contender. It’s because the team plays deliberate, team-first basketball, constantly moving the ball to find the best shot instead of forcing up low-percentage looks. Just consider they have the slowest pace in the league (76.2), yet somehow lead the WNBA in assists (24.1 per game).

That’s a sign of a team that trusts each other and executes with precision. And adding to that is a stifling defense that holds opponents to just 40.8% shooting, second-best in the league, so it’s no wonder ESPN gives them an 83.4% chance to win this one. On the other side, things aren’t looking quite as promising for the Los Angeles Sparks.

They’re coming off another rough loss – a 98–67 blowout at the hands of the Seattle Storm, despite a solid 17-point effort from rookie Rickea Jackson. The problem? As a team, LA shot just 32.8% from the field and let Seattle shoot a scorching 52%. So, unless the Sparks come out with a complete, inspired performance on both ends of the floor, it’s hard to imagine them derailing a Lynx squad that’s clicking in all the right ways.