Kelsey Plum Risks League Fine After NSFW Tirade Following Buzzer-Beater Game-Winner

Kelsey Plum joined the Los Angeles Sparks via trade in the offseason with the vision of helping them become playoff contenders.

Kelsey Plum Risks League Fine After NSFW Tirade Following Buzzer-Beater Game-Winner

Kelsey Plum scored the game-winner against Wings (Image via FirstSportz)

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When Kelsey Plum wanted to leave the Las Vegas Aces, she specifically asked that she be traded to the Los Angeles Sparks. Her motive was to win at home.

She started her time on her new team with a bang, obliterating the WNBA opening day scoring record in a win over the upstart Golden State Valkyries.

After that win, she and her team struggled to win games as they worked to figure out their chemistry. Even though the Sparks continued to be one of the worst teams in the league, the 30-year-old was leading the team in scoring and assists.

That led to an All-Star call-up. That weekend was good overall, but was overshadowed by some of the comments she made at the post-game press conference.

Plum is known to speak her mind and not shy away. In today’s game against the Dallas Wings, she and her team battled throughout and fended off a superlative 44-point performance from rookie Paige Bueckers to win the game 81-80.

The 2-time champion was the reason the Sparks won, after she dribbled towards the basket and got off a floater just as time expired. Since she was responsible for the game-winner, the league’s courtside reporter asked her how the team was going to push for a playoff spot.

We gotta play some f***ing defense.

Kelsey Plum said

The Washington alum was to the point and without any filters as Kelsey Plum clarified how the team needs to play. Moreover, it was live on national television, which means there is a strong possibility she will receive a memo asking her to pay a fine.

Kelsey Plum’s game-winner eliminates Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese from playoffs

Kelsey Plum and her Los Angeles Sparks were 9th before this game. After their win, they stay in 9th, but more crucially, are now just .5 games behind the 8th placed Seattle Storm.

Even if they lost this game, the West Coast franchise would have still been in a position to fight for a playoff spot. The Dallas Wings, on the other hand, were not in such a favorable position.

They have struggled throughout this season, and their current roster is geared for the future rather than to compete now. With this loss, they fell 7.5 games behind the 10th-place Washington Mystics.

That leaves them without enough chances to stage a late playoff run. Kelsey Plum’s game-winner effectively knocked Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings out of playoff contention.

Along with them, Angel Reese and her Chicago Sky, who lost on her return to the court against the Storm, are also out of playoff contention. This marks the 2nd straight season Reese has not made the playoffs.

However, these are rebuilding teams with an eye on the future. Once they develop over time, these two teams could soon become playoff regulars.

Kelsey Plum and Sparks need a few more wins to enter playoffs

The Los Angeles Sparks were a rebuilding team as of last season. They drafted Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson with a long-term vision. That vision changed when they traded for Kelsey Plum.

Sparks teammates embrace Kelsey Plum after game-winner
Sparks teammates embrace Kelsey Plum after game-winner (Image via Kelsey Plum/IG)

Her addition gives the franchise a solid scoring option, and she has maintained that throughout this season. Along with her, the 1st team has worked through their early-season woes and has put together a winning form.

After posting a mediocre 5-12 record in the first two months, the Sparks have put together a much better 12-6 record so far. They have 6 days’ rest before their next game against the Phoenix Mercury.

After that, their final 8 games are over a tight 14-day schedule. This would stress the team to the limit as they will face playoff contenders in all but one game.

Plum and her teammates will have to dig deep if they are to fight for a playoff spot. The Indiana Fever’s injury woes might be a blessing in disguise. To exploit that, the Sparks have to win a few games.

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