It is true that Kelsey Plum started the ongoing season on a strong note. Just look at her performance against her former team, the Las Vegas Aces. Plum recorded 38 points, nine assists, and four rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Sparks to a 101-95 victory. It was a statement performance against the defending champions, one that had the potential to elevate the Sparks. However, the optimism from that statement win did not last long, as injury concerns loom.

Beyond just that Aces game, Plum is in MVP-caliber form. She is leading the league in points per game (26.8) while shooting 58.6% from the field and 48.8% from the 3-point line. The guard is also tied for fifth in the WNBA with 6.3 assists per game and is the most important piece for Lynne Roberts this season. Unfortunately, she could spend some time on the sidelines after a recent ankle injury. 

“Kelsey Plum appeared to suffer a right lower leg injury during practice today and was helped off the floor by several players,” Justin Russo reported on X. “Lynne Roberts said after practice that it ‘looks like an ankle’ injury but that they do not know how bad.”  

LA Sparks PR later revealed that Plum has suffered a sprain:

“Kelsey Plum sustained an ankle sprain during practice today and will be re-evaluated in one week. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

Plum has been pretty much injury-free apart from 2020. She missed the entire season with a left Achilles tendon injury and even underwent surgery. Now, even if Plum is out for just one week, it can derail the momentum the Aces game gave them. However, she will be evaluated in a week. With Plum out, Ariel Atkins will likely take over for the time being at the point guard position.

But the team does not have anyone else averaging more than 25 points per game. They have Dearica Hamby as their next-best scorer at 18.5 points per game. However, more than one-third of her assists have come from Plum (10). It just shows the all-around impact of the Sparks star.

However, it’s important to note that the 31-year-old was playing high-volume minutes early in the season, averaging 35.3 minutes a game, which ranked second in the league. It is hard to say if that affected Plum’s ankle sprain. And to make matters worse for the Sparks, Plum’s injury is not the only one they have to manage. 

With Nneka Ogwumike still not fully recovered, Sparks could seek help

Nneka Ogwumike has missed two games with a left-hand injury on the current Sparks road trip. However, coach Roberts wasn’t too worried about her long-term injury concerns last week.

“She injured it in the game [against Phoenix], played through it as a Hall of Famer does to get the win. And then we had imaging done on it, and it’s not a long-term issue,” Roberts said. “There’s still a lot of inflammation, soreness, pain, that kind of thing. She’s just not ready to go today.” 

Roberts further said that she expected her to play against the Mystics on Friday. With two days to go, it seems Ogwumike’s hand is still not completely recovered.

“Nneka Ogwumike, who missed the game against Las Vegas on Saturday due to a left hand injury, is on the court at practice today with a slight wrap on her left thumb area,” Russo reported. 

In the video Russo posted, Ogwumike’s shooting motion looked clean. It did not seem like she was having any problems, but a full-intensity game is completely different from practice. With both of their top scorers struggling with injuries, the Sparks could use this opportunity to bring in some scoring punch from their developmental spots. Kate Martin could be added to the roster by waiving someone like Sania Feagin, who has played just 3 minutes so far this season.

And it seems they already have intentions of bringing in Martin, as she has already played 4 games of her 12-game quota, and it’s just May. This Plum injury, coupled with Nneka Ogwumike’s, can fast-track her path to the squad. What looked like a turning point after the Aces’ win has suddenly become a test of the Sparks’ depth and resilience.