LAS VEGAS — The Michelob Ultra Arena was alive with energy as fans held signs bearing the message, “Once an Ace, always an Ace,” signaling a heartfelt welcome back for Kelsey Plum. She was greeted with loud cheers and a warm display on the video board just before the start of Friday night’s game. Plum, with a broad smile, exchanged a hug with former teammate A’ja Wilson, igniting nostalgia for her tenure with the team.
This occasion marked Plum’s first appearance in Las Vegas since her move to the Los Angeles Sparks through a three-team trade, which saw Jewell Loyd joining the Aces from Seattle. Speaking about the upcoming game, Plum expressed excitement, “It’s going to be great to compete against them. Having been on their team for so long, it feels like we know each other inside out. It’s truly going to be a battle of the minds.”
However, the game did not unfold as Plum might have imagined. The Aces triumphed over the Sparks with a score of 96-81. Despite putting up a team-high 17 points while shooting 6-of-19, Plum struggled with her performance, landing only 1 of 7 from beyond the arc, committing five turnovers, and recording four fouls, ultimately finishing with a minus-21 rating. An incident in the second quarter saw Plum hitting the floor, initially leading to a foul call on Las Vegas’ Jackie Young, which was overturned after a challenge confirmed Plum had not been pushed. Additionally, Plum received a technical foul in the third quarter for contesting a call.
After the game, Plum noted the physical challenges faced by her team, the Sparks, who played their seventh game since May 16, compared to the Aces, who last played the previous Sunday. “I was frustrated with myself. I didn’t have any legs, and they did a great job defensively,” Plum remarked.
Plum’s legacy with the Aces is notable, playing a pivotal role in securing back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, a feat unparalleled since the Sparks’ consecutive wins in 2001 and 2002. Despite her accolades, the Aces are dominantly led by A’ja Wilson. Within the Aces, despite Plum’s achievements and being named an All-Star over the past three seasons, she remained under Wilson’s shadow, given Wilson’s stature as a three-time league MVP.
Now with the Sparks, Plum is seen as a crucial asset, as described by Sparks coach Lynne Roberts, “the head of the snake.” Entering the game, Plum averaged 25.2 points, just shy of Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier’s 26.8. Nevertheless, Plum distanced herself from being called the franchise’s face. She emphasized a desire for a fresh start, stating, “People get caught up in the ‘face of’… my intention was never that. My move to LA was more about gaining an opportunity to play differently, with more control over the ball. I’m a dynamic player who makes plays, passes, and scores. I just sought more chances to do so.”
Plum underlined her primary objective remains winning games and driving team success. The Sparks are banking on her championship pedigree to elevate them back to prominence. Before this matchup, the Sparks had a 2-4 record and have not enjoyed a winning season since the 2020 COVID-shortened term, finishing at 15-7. “She’s won everywhere she’s been,” noted Roberts. “She was vital to Vegas’s success… It’s her time for this role, and she’s earned it.”
For Plum, the immediate focus was conquering her former team. She suggested that a true rivalry between the two teams is not quite there yet, “They’ve kicked our (butt). We’d need to win at least six or seven more matchups, respectfully, for it to become a rivalry. It’s akin to the Giants and the Jets.”