The Los Angeles Sparks are bracing for what insiders are calling a potential game-changing moment as star guard Kelsey Plum reportedly inches closer to a return from injury. After missing three straight games with a sprained ankle, sources close to the situation claim Plum is not just healing — she is allegedly ready to explode back onto the court as early as this weekend.
According to a pregame press conference on Thursday, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts told reporters that Plum could suit up against the Dallas Wings on June 5. “I think she looks great… I think [she’ll be ready for tomorrow]. Hopefully she can play,” Roberts said, according to ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou. The update has sent a jolt of energy through the Sparks’ fanbase, who are reportedly buzzing about what Plum’s return could mean for a team currently sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference.
Plum’s Scorching Start Has Sparks Dreaming Big
Before the injury sidelined her on May 23, Plum was on a tear that has some analysts calling it one of the most dominant stretches of her career. In her first six games — her second season with the Sparks — the 10-year WNBA veteran was averaging a jaw-dropping 26.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game. Her shooting splits were absurd: 58.9% from the field, 48.8% from deep, and 82.9% from the free-throw line. If she picks up where she left off, sources say the Sparks could suddenly become a nightmare matchup for the rest of the league.
Without Plum, Los Angeles went 1-2 in a stretch that exposed some cracks in the lineup. Now, with her return reportedly imminent, insiders are whispering that the Sparks might be ready to make a serious push up the standings. They currently trail the Portland Fire and the Las Vegas Aces but sit above the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm — a positioning that could shift dramatically if Plum returns to form.
What This Could Mean for the WNBA Landscape
According to reports, Plum’s ankle sprain initially had the Sparks’ medical staff playing it cautious, but recent evaluations allegedly show no lingering issues. One team insider told us that Plum has been putting in extra work behind the scenes, and her practice performances have reportedly been “electric.” The Sparks host the Dallas Wings on June 5 at 10 p.m. ET, and speculation is rampant that Plum could steal the show in her return.
If Plum does return and lights up the scoreboard — as many sources believe she will — the Western Conference race could get a whole lot more interesting. The Sparks have already shown flashes of brilliance, and with Plum back in the mix, the question on everyone’s lips is: Can they crash the top tier?
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