After the Los Angeles Sparks dropped a hard-fought 89–81 overtime loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Monday at Crypto.com Arena, the All-Star guard unleashed a searing postgame rant that quickly went viral.
Despite scoring 24 points and handing out seven assists, Kelsey Plum slammed the officiating, particularly the lack of foul calls, calling her mere six free-throw attempts “f***ing absurd.”
Kelsey Plum Lashes Out at Refs Postgame After Sparks Losses to Valkyries
Moments after the loss, Plum unleashed her frustration while addressing the media.
“I drive more than anyone in the league, so to shoot six free throws is f***ing absurd,” she fumed.
Kelsey Plum expresses frustration with lack of calls:
“I drive more than anyone in the league, so to shoot six free throws is f—ing absurd.”
Plum’s 5.6 FTA per game are the fewest among 20+ PPG scorers.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 10, 2025
Plum went on to detail multiple instances of off-ball contact and hard fouls that she implied went unnoticed by the game officials.
“I got scratches on my face,” Plum ranted. “I got scratches on my body and these guards on the other team get these ticky tack fouls and I’m sick of it…they are fouling the s*** out of me…I talk to the refs nice. I pray before the game like f*** I’m over it.”
The WNBA has not yet announced whether Plum will be fined for her remarks, though league precedent suggests a monetary penalty could follow.
Took it to OT but couldn’t get it done. pic.twitter.com/fHIrVmG88I
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) June 10, 2025
The loss stings for Plum, but she did achieve a new personal milestone tonight as she became the fastest player to clock 200 points and 50 assists in a single season in WNBA history.
Both teams traded blows throughout an evenly contested affair. The Sparks overcame an early two-point deficit from the first quarter with a 21–15 second quarter. This was sparked by Plum’s 3-of-4 mark from beyond the arc, which helped them claim a 44–40 halftime lead.
The Sparks wanted to sustain their momentum past halftime, only to see Golden State strike back to outscore them, 25–21, in the third period. Both teams leaned on their defenses in a low-scoring fourth quarter that eventually resulted in overtime.
In the extra frame, the Sparks managed just one field goal—Plum’s midrange jumper. However, she earned a foul in overtime, which pushed Los Angeles to the back burner. Plum ended with 24 points, seven assists, and four 3-pointers for the night.
Impressively, Dearica Hamby chipped in 20 points and five assists, showcasing why Los Angeles leaned on its veteran forward in crunch time.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries capitalized on the offensive prowess of Temi Fagbenle and Kayla Thornton, sealing their 89–81 victory over the stunned Sparks. Plum’s team was outscored, 3–11, in overtime.
The Valkyries improve to 4–5 on the season and will host the Seattle Storm this Saturday, aiming to extend their winning streak. The Sparks drop to 3–7 and will head to Las Vegas to face the Aces this Wednesday (June 11).
In a game that delivered on drama and intensity, it was Plum’s postgame fire, not her 24 points, that stole the spotlight. Her explosive comments reignited a growing league-wide debate on officiating consistency and sent a clear message: Kelsey Plum won’t just lead with her play—she’ll speak up when the whistle stays silent.