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Why is Kelsey Plum not playing tonight vs Sparks? Is the Mercury star injured? Reason explained
Kelsey Plum has appeared in only four games for the Mercury this season, averaging 17.3 points per game since joining Phoenix.
The Los Angeles Sparks will return home Tuesday night looking to bounce back from their latest defeat when they host the Phoenix Mercury. However, the Mercury face a major concern surrounding the availability of one of their key players ahead of the matchup.
Why isn’t Kelsey Plum playing tonight?
Kelsey Plum will not be available when the Mercury travel to Los Angeles to face her former team. Phoenix listed Plum as out on Monday’s injury report because of a lower left leg injury she suffered during Sunday’s loss to the Washington Mystics.
Is Plum injured?
The Mercury initially described the issue as left calf tightness after Plum exited the game. The injury is particularly notable because the 31-year-old had already missed nearly six weeks earlier this season with a lower left leg problem before returning to make her Phoenix debut on August 3.
Phoenix acquired Plum from the Sparks before the trade deadline earlier this month. In exchange, Los Angeles received Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round selection.
Plum leads Sparks’ scoring attack
Plum has appeared in only four games for the Mercury this season, averaging 17.3 points per game since joining Phoenix.
Before making the move to the Mercury, Plum was one of the Sparks’ most productive offensive players. She averaged 23.9 points per game across 12 appearances for Los Angeles, while also contributing 6.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds per contest.
Overall, Plum has played 16 games this season and is averaging 22.3 points per game.
Sparks aim to revive season
Los Angeles enters Tuesday’s matchup with a 12-19 record after suffering a home loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday night.
They currently sit 10th in the WNBA standings, making Tuesday’s game an important opportunity to boost their playoff hopes. A victory could provide some much-needed momentum in the race for postseason contention.
Nneka Ogwumike was the Sparks’ leading performer in that defeat, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Erica Wheeler also contributed 15 points and four assists for Los Angeles.
Phoenix battles three-game losing streak
Phoenix, meanwhile, heads into Tuesday’s contest with a 12-22 record after falling on the road to the Washington Mystics on Sunday.
Kahleah Copper was Phoenix’s leading scorer in Sunday’s defeat to the Washington Mystics, finishing the game with 15 points and three rebounds.
Alyssa Thomas also delivered an all-around performance, recording 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
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The Mercury will now look to respond to the loss and end their three-game skid when they travel to face the struggling Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday.
