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Kelsey Plum Returns to Score 27 as Sparks Lose 104-96 to Wings

Her quick return underlines her role as the Sparks' offensive engine.

Overview

  • Plum was upgraded to probable after practicing in full and returned Friday to score 27 points and hand out six assists in Los Angeles's 104-96 loss to the Dallas Wings.
  • The Sparks cleared Plum to play without a formal medical minutes restriction and she credited intensive rehab methods, including hyperbaric chamber sessions and red-light therapy, for speeding her recovery.
  • Los Angeles produced better offense with Plum back but surrendered a decisive fourth-quarter surge and late offensive rebounds that sealed the game, continuing a three-game losing streak and dropping the team to 4-6.
  • Dallas won behind a balanced attack led by Arike Ogunbowale's 30 points and Paige Bueckers' 14 assists, with Maddy Siegrist and Jessica Shepard making key late rebounds and putbacks.
  • Plum leads the WNBA in scoring at about 26.8 points per game and her return restores the Sparks' primary playmaker, but the team must develop secondary scoring and tighten late-game defense before Sunday's game against the Portland Fire.