The Chase Center was electric on May 16, as the WNBA season tipped off with a high-octane matchup between the league’s newest team, the Golden State Valkyries, and the Los Angeles Sparks.
In front of a packed crowd of 18,064 fans, it was the Sparks who came out on top with a convincing 84-67 victory, and leading the charge was none other than Kelsey Plum, whose jaw-dropping debut and viral message after the game have set the internet ablaze.
Kelsey Plum Sums Up Her Performance in Five Words
After the final buzzer, Plum took to Instagram to post, “It’s good to be back.” The post instantly caught fire online, racking up thousands of shares and comments with fans praising the confidence and swagger behind it.
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In her first official appearance with the Sparks, Plum erupted for 37 points, dished out six assists, and snatched five steals, putting together a stat line never before seen in WNBA history. Her 37 points set the record for the most points ever scored by a player in their Sparks debut, and the most by any player in a WNBA season opener.
The road to LA wasn’t straightforward for Plum. She was part of a major offseason shake-up that saw her leave the Las Vegas Aces which was the team she helped lead to championships and All-Star appearances. In a three-team blockbuster deal involving the Aces, the Sparks, and the Seattle Storm, Plum was dealt to Los Angeles ahead of the 2025 season.
The trade sent shockwaves through the league, but Friday night’s performance proved that the Sparks struck gold. With this win and a historic performance to kick off her Sparks journey, Plum has quickly become the face of a new era in Los Angeles.
Plum Credits A’ja Wilson for Her Performance
Plum made an early statement in the WNBA preseason, scoring 11 points in the Los Angeles Sparks’ only preseason game against the newly formed Valkyries.
Having already studied their tactics in the preseason, Plum came into the regular-season matchup fully prepared — and it showed in her commanding performance.
Despite the strong showing, Plum was quick to deflect praise. She credited her former teammate, A’ja Wilson, for helping shape her game and mindset.
“I have spent a lot of time learning, particularly from A’ja. Watching her pick her spots and just being intentional about when to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive. I don’t think I did a tremendous job balancing, but I’ll continue to get better,” said Plum in an interview with ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.
Next up for Plum and the Sparks is a tough matchup against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. With momentum on her side and inspiration from a former teammate, Plum looks ready to lead once again.
