May 16, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) dribbles against Golden State Valkyries guard Carla Leite (center right) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Kelsey Plum scored 37 points in her Los Angeles debut and the Sparks ruined the debut of the Golden State Valkyries with an 84-67 victory on Friday night at San Francisco.
Plum made 11 of 19 field-goal attempts, including four 3-pointers, and knocked down all 11 free-throw attempts while falling three points shy of her career high. She also contributed six assists and five steals in helping the Sparks win their first game under new coach Lynne Roberts.
Dearica Hamby recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds and Rickea Jackson added 13 points for Los Angeles, which is coming off a franchise-worst 8-32 season. Azura Stevens had 11 points for the Sparks.
Tiffany Hayes had 19 points and nine rebounds for Golden State, the WNBA’s first expansion franchise since 2008. Temi Fagbenle added 15 points and Julie Vanloo scored 14 off the bench for the squad coached by Natalie Nakase.
Los Angeles shot 46 percent from the field and was 7 of 19 from 3-point range.
The Valkyries made 36.5 percent of their attempts, and were just 9 of 35 from behind the arc.
The Sparks led 42-39 at halftime before Plum erupted with 17 third-quarter points.
Plum scored 12 of those points during a 15-3 spurt to turn her team’s three-point lead into a 62-47 advantage with 3:11 left in the quarter.
Vanloo suddenly was hotter than lava while drilling three 3-pointers in 44 seconds as the Valkyries moved within six with 2:07 remaining.
Los Angeles led 66-60 entering the final stanza. But a steal and layup under the basket by Sims and five straight free throws by Sims (three) and Plum (two) helped the Sparks take a 73-62 advantage with 5:18 left in the contest.
A 15-footer by Plum pushed the Los Angeles lead to 80-65 with 2:12 left. She capped her big outing with a layup with 52 seconds left.
Plum had 11 first-half points to help Los Angeles lead by three at the break. Fagbenle had 13 in the half for Golden State.
The Sparks lost Rae Burrell to a potentially serious lower right leg injury in the first quarter. Burrell was carried off the court by two of her teammates.
–Field Level Media
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
LeBron James praised Caitlin Clark, but Chicago fans criticized him for ghosting Angel Reese
The 2025 WNBA season has kicked off, and it has gotten off to an incredible start! The games have been full of excitement and drama. The most highly anticipated matchup was between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever. The game lived up to expectations and did not disappoint.Caitlin Clark made a statement by leading the Indiana Fever to a 93-58 rout of the Chicago Sky in their first matchup of the season. With this performance, she made it clear that she is ready to dominate the WNBA and take on rivals like Angel Reese.Angel Reese brushes off media question after defending her place in women's basketballThe Indiana Fever star swept the court with her third triple-double in the WNBA! She scored 20 points, had 10 assists, and grabbed 10 rebounds in an electrifying performance that showed a huge leap […]
Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky squad shows worrying signs and fans clamor for former player to return
The 2025 WNBA season could not have started any worse for the Chicago Sky. Getting blown out in the first game of the year was bad enough, but Angel Reese and co. had to watch as Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever team garnered praise at their expense. There was also an unsavory moment between Reese and Clark that surely won't go over well with Reese's critics.Reese wasn't efficient with her shooting and committed too many turnovers, but she was only one of two Sky players to reach double digit points in the game, alongside Ariel Atkins. It was an extremely concerning start for Chicago, who now have to wait until Thursday to get back on track in another game. That should give them plenty of practice time to iron things out, but could it also force the front office […]
The potential Pete Crow-Armstrong MVP season is starting to happen for the Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO — As Chicago Cubs officials contemplated the idea of star power — how to acquire it, develop it and maximize it — they also held out hope for an internal solution. In breaking up the 2016 World Series team, someone had to fill the void at Wrigley Field, capture the imagination of fans and produce monster 7 WAR seasons. Though far from a guaranteed outcome, one hypothetical centered on: What if everything clicked for Pete Crow-Armstrong?AdvertisementYou’re looking at it right now: The Cubs in first place. Crow-Armstrong making leaping catches at the ivy and hitting home runs into the bleachers. Fans chanting “P-C-A!” and roaring when he drives the ball into the right-field corner, knowing that’s an easy triple with his speed. It’s already picking up, the All-Star Game buzz and MVP chatter.“That’s irrelevant to what I do on […]
Após queixa do Botafogo, Maracanã diz ter respaldo da PM para abertura do setor C e nega ‘inovação’
Na véspera do clássico com o Flamengo, neste domingo, no Maracanã, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, o Botafogo manifestou 'profunda preocupação' com a venda de ingressos por parte do rubro-negro. Em nota divulgada mais cedo, o alvinegro reclamou da comercialização de entradas para o setor C, que deveria "permanecer fechado por medida de segurança". Isso porque, em jogos cuja divisão da torcida não seja de 50%/50%, este espaço da arquibancada precisaria ficar fechado como forma de garantir um cordão de proteção para os visitantes. O Maracanã se manifestou na noite deste sábado. De acordo com o consórcio que administra o estádio, a operação do setor sul, onde fica a torcida visitante, conta com a aprovação da Polícia Militar. A gestão do estádio, feita por Flamengo e Fluminense, afima ainda não haver "novidade, excepcionalidade ou inovação na estratégia adotada". (Confira a nota oficial […]
Travis Kelce bonds with Mahomes family at charity gala as Taylor Swift shows her approval
Travis Kelce is known for his explosive plays on the football field, but off the turf, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end continues to build meaningful relationships that go far beyond the game. One of those moments came during the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation gala in Las Vegas, where Kelce was seen sharing a lighthearted moment with Mia Mahomes, the 13-year-old sister of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Brittany Mahomes loses her breath watching Patrick Mahomes' risky stunt for his eventThe candid photo, shared on Instagram by Randi Mahomes, showed Kelce flashing a peace sign beside a smiling Mia. The caption captured the spirit of the night: "A beautiful night supporting @PatrickMahomes and the incredible work of @15andMahomies alongside family! Grateful to witness the impact this foundation is making in the lives of so many deserving kids."Buffalo Bills and the NFL Schedule […]
Dallas Wings coach highlights key concern after Paige Bueckers’ underwhelming WNBA debut
Paige Bueckers made her long-awaited WNBA debut on a buzzing night in Arlington, stepping onto the court with high expectations and deafening support from the Dallas Wings faithful. The rookie guard, whose collegiate fame had already made her a household name, quickly found her rhythm, scoring her first basket within minutes and finishing the first quarter with four points and a pair of rebounds.But despite a strong opening stint, Bueckers and the Dallas Wings struggled to maintain momentum as the game progressed. The Minnesota Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier, took full control in the second half, storming ahead with a 35-20 third-quarter explosion en route to a convincing 99-84 victory.The defeat wasn't just a wake-up call for Bueckers - it served as a broader warning for a Wings squad in transition under new head coach Chris Koclanes.Fatigue, doubt, and execution […]
Related
LeBron James praised Caitlin Clark, but Chicago fans criticized him for ghosting Angel Reese
The 2025 WNBA season has kicked off, and it has gotten off to an incredible start! The games have been full of excitement and drama. The most highly anticipated matchup was between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever. The game lived up to expectations and did not disappoint.Caitlin Clark made a statement by leading the Indiana Fever to a 93-58 rout of the Chicago Sky in their first matchup of the season. With this performance, she made it clear that she is ready to dominate the WNBA and take on rivals like Angel Reese.Angel Reese brushes off media question after defending her place in women's basketballThe Indiana Fever star swept the court with her third triple-double in the WNBA! She scored 20 points, had 10 assists, and grabbed 10 rebounds in an electrifying performance that showed a huge leap […]
Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky squad shows worrying signs and fans clamor for former player to return
The 2025 WNBA season could not have started any worse for the Chicago Sky. Getting blown out in the first game of the year was bad enough, but Angel Reese and co. had to watch as Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever team garnered praise at their expense. There was also an unsavory moment between Reese and Clark that surely won't go over well with Reese's critics.Reese wasn't efficient with her shooting and committed too many turnovers, but she was only one of two Sky players to reach double digit points in the game, alongside Ariel Atkins. It was an extremely concerning start for Chicago, who now have to wait until Thursday to get back on track in another game. That should give them plenty of practice time to iron things out, but could it also force the front office […]
The potential Pete Crow-Armstrong MVP season is starting to happen for the Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO — As Chicago Cubs officials contemplated the idea of star power — how to acquire it, develop it and maximize it — they also held out hope for an internal solution. In breaking up the 2016 World Series team, someone had to fill the void at Wrigley Field, capture the imagination of fans and produce monster 7 WAR seasons. Though far from a guaranteed outcome, one hypothetical centered on: What if everything clicked for Pete Crow-Armstrong?AdvertisementYou’re looking at it right now: The Cubs in first place. Crow-Armstrong making leaping catches at the ivy and hitting home runs into the bleachers. Fans chanting “P-C-A!” and roaring when he drives the ball into the right-field corner, knowing that’s an easy triple with his speed. It’s already picking up, the All-Star Game buzz and MVP chatter.“That’s irrelevant to what I do on […]
Após queixa do Botafogo, Maracanã diz ter respaldo da PM para abertura do setor C e nega ‘inovação’
Na véspera do clássico com o Flamengo, neste domingo, no Maracanã, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, o Botafogo manifestou 'profunda preocupação' com a venda de ingressos por parte do rubro-negro. Em nota divulgada mais cedo, o alvinegro reclamou da comercialização de entradas para o setor C, que deveria "permanecer fechado por medida de segurança". Isso porque, em jogos cuja divisão da torcida não seja de 50%/50%, este espaço da arquibancada precisaria ficar fechado como forma de garantir um cordão de proteção para os visitantes. O Maracanã se manifestou na noite deste sábado. De acordo com o consórcio que administra o estádio, a operação do setor sul, onde fica a torcida visitante, conta com a aprovação da Polícia Militar. A gestão do estádio, feita por Flamengo e Fluminense, afima ainda não haver "novidade, excepcionalidade ou inovação na estratégia adotada". (Confira a nota oficial […]
Travis Kelce bonds with Mahomes family at charity gala as Taylor Swift shows her approval
Travis Kelce is known for his explosive plays on the football field, but off the turf, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end continues to build meaningful relationships that go far beyond the game. One of those moments came during the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation gala in Las Vegas, where Kelce was seen sharing a lighthearted moment with Mia Mahomes, the 13-year-old sister of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Brittany Mahomes loses her breath watching Patrick Mahomes' risky stunt for his eventThe candid photo, shared on Instagram by Randi Mahomes, showed Kelce flashing a peace sign beside a smiling Mia. The caption captured the spirit of the night: "A beautiful night supporting @PatrickMahomes and the incredible work of @15andMahomies alongside family! Grateful to witness the impact this foundation is making in the lives of so many deserving kids."Buffalo Bills and the NFL Schedule […]
Dallas Wings coach highlights key concern after Paige Bueckers’ underwhelming WNBA debut
Paige Bueckers made her long-awaited WNBA debut on a buzzing night in Arlington, stepping onto the court with high expectations and deafening support from the Dallas Wings faithful. The rookie guard, whose collegiate fame had already made her a household name, quickly found her rhythm, scoring her first basket within minutes and finishing the first quarter with four points and a pair of rebounds.But despite a strong opening stint, Bueckers and the Dallas Wings struggled to maintain momentum as the game progressed. The Minnesota Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier, took full control in the second half, storming ahead with a 35-20 third-quarter explosion en route to a convincing 99-84 victory.The defeat wasn't just a wake-up call for Bueckers - it served as a broader warning for a Wings squad in transition under new head coach Chris Koclanes.Fatigue, doubt, and execution […]
Be the first to leave a comment