Kelsey Plum, the veteran guard who has been sidelined for five weeks, returned to full practice on Tuesday, clearing the way for her much‑anticipated debut on Sunday against the Portland Pilots.
A pivotal moment for the franchise
The Los Angeles Sparks, currently sitting at 10‑17, are weighing whether to move Plum before the trade deadline, a decision that could reshape the roster as the team fights for a playoff spot.
Plum will take the court with a minutes restriction, coming off the bench, but she brings a scoring average of 23.9 points per game from earlier in the season.
Coach Lynne Roberts emphasized that the team is focused on controlling what they can, stating they will evaluate every option as the deadline approaches.
Bill Laimbeer, who helped Plum refine her game when she operated as a sixth player, praised her work ethic and said the return adds a new dimension to the offense.
The Sparks will face Portland at 3:30 p.m. PT, a game that could serve as a litmus test for how the team responds to the uncertainty surrounding Plum’s future.