Kelsey Plum, the Los Angeles Sparks' dynamic guard, has emerged as one of the most prolific scorers in the WNBA this season, posting averages that place her second in the league at 23.9 points per game while also contributing 6.4 assists and shooting 52.7 percent from the field.
Her campaign, however, hit a setback when the league announced the 2026 All-Star roster, a list that omitted the 2022 MVP despite her stellar statistics and the limited minutes she has been able to play while nursing a leg injury.
Coach's Critique
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts did not stay silent, describing the selection mechanism as a "social media popularity contest" and pointing out that Plum finished fifth among media voters and sixth among fans, while she placed 12th in the player vote, a drop many analysts attribute to the injury.
The injury, which is expected to sideline Plum for the bulk of July, has not dampened expectations that she will return in time for the July 25 All-Star Game and help the Sparks climb back into playoff contention; the team currently sits at 8‑10.
Looking Ahead
Beyond the immediate snub, Plum's career includes two WNBA championships and a 2022 MVP award, underscoring the resilience she has shown after previous setbacks and setting the stage for a strong push toward the playoffs once she is fully healthy.