Kelsey Plum suffered an ankle sprain this week at practice with the Los Angeles Sparks, and will now be off the court for at least a week. The team noted she'll be reevaluated at that time.
The news is pretty dismal for the team and their fans, especially since Nneka Ogwumike is also out wiht an injury. It also comes just as the Sparks were really finding their footing as a team, and after they beat the Las Vegas Aces 101-95. That's the kind of win that teams can build on — but the Sparks will need as much of their roster as they can get to do so.
Plum's 2026 season has been spectacular
While the injury doesn't sound like it will hinder too much of Plum's season or her progress, there's no denying that she's been a powerful part of the Sparks so far this season. She was leading the league in points (26.8) after six games while shooting 58.9 from the field and averaging 6.3 assists per game.
She also had an especially strong game against the Aces — Plum racked up 38 points and nine assists.
The Sparks re-signed Plum to a one-year deal during free agency this year. She was traded to the team as part of a three-team trade with the Aces and Storm, trade that was also the first in the league to include multiple draft picks (per the WNBA). Plum previously spent the first seven years of her career with the Aces, where she helped the team win back-to-back champions in 2022 and 2023.
The Los Angeles Sparks are dealing with a lot of injuries
Plum isn't the only injured player on the Sparks' roster right now. Ogwumike injured her her hand this month (coach Lynne Roberts has emphasized that she doesn't believe the injury will impact Ogwumike or the Sparks in the longterm) and Ariel Atkins missed time this season as she contended with a concussion and its aftermath.
The team has also missed Sania Feagin, who has yet to play a game in 2026 due to a leg injury.
The Sparks are heading into a series of home games that will see the team hosting the Washington Mystics (Friday, May 29), traveling to meet the Connecticut Sun on May 30, returning home to host the Aces once again on June 2, and hosting the Dallas Wings on June 5.
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