The Los Angeles Sparks face one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams on Sunday when they take on the New York Liberty, looking to bounce back from two straight losses against tough competition in the red-hot Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries. LA will head into the matchup with uncertainty surrounding star guard Kelsey Plum.
According to reporter John W. Davis, Plum will be a game-time decision, leaving Sparks fans anxiously waiting to see whether their scoring leader will be on the court.
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Plum, who is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season, missed LA’ 99-83 loss to the Lynx due to a leg injury. She had previously missed three games with a sprained ankle.
Now, ahead of the matchup against the Liberty, the 31-year-old was asked how she is feeling as she continues her recovery heading into Sunday’s contest.
“I mean, listen, the first one was a fluke,” Plum said. “I stepped on someone’s foot in practice. And then the other one is because I came back so fast from this one. So I’m not going to beat myself up about it.”
Plum, who has rarely missed significant time due to injury and has long been regarded as one of the league’s most durable players, expressed confidence in her physical condition, saying:
“Probably over the course of my career, I’ve been one of the healthiest players in the league, and that’s not really going to change. I’m going to show up every day and do what I can to help my team win.”
The Sparks are certainly hoping that Plum is healthy enough to play on Sunday. She has been the team’s best player this season and would provide a massive boost to the lineup if she is cleared to suit up against the Liberty.
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In addition to Kelsey Plum, Kate Martin is listed as a game-time decision because of a knee injury. Meanwhile, Cameron Brink has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Kelsey Plum Outlines Blueprint for Los Angeles Sparks to Overcome New York Liberty
In the same interview, Kelsey Plum touted the importance of making shots and playing a complete game against the New York Liberty.
“play a complete game, both sides of the ball. You know, and we’ve got to make shots. It’s (New york) a very high-powered offense. So we’ve got to be able to defend, get out in transition and score,” she said.
The Liberty have gone 8-2 over their last 10 games, while the Sparks are 5-5 during that span, with four of those contests coming during Plum’s absence.
Plum is a terrific player. When healthy, the four-time All-Star is one of the most dynamic players in the WNBA. However, the Sparks will likely be cautious with her return, given how vital she is to the team’s success.
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The 31-year-old has been in the league for eight years, but has only this seaosn established herself as a cream-of-the-crop, dominant force. She is averaging 25.0 points and 6.4 assists per game, ranking second among the league’s top scorers.
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