SAN FRANCISCO — As 18,064 fans clad in violet shirts filled Chase Center, making the Golden State Valkyries‘ season opener the second-highest-attended home debut in WNBA history, Kelsey Plum made a bit of history of her own in her first game in a Los Angeles Sparks uniform.
Plum scored 37 points, the most by a Sparks player in their debut and the most by any WNBA player in a season opener in an 84-67 victory. Her six assists and five steals also made her the first WNBA player with a game of at least 35 points, 5 assists and 5 steals.
“The mentality for me tonight was really just come out and have fun,” said Plum, who shot 11-of-19 from the field and 11-of-11 from the free throw line. “I love basketball. I love to play basketball. Just compete, and we have a great group.”
For much of her career, Plum has played alongside all-time offensive producers such as three-time MVP A’ja Wilson during her six-season stint with the Las Vegas Aces. But when Plum arrived in Los Angeles this offseason, she instantly became the team’s No. 1 option.
The Sparks hoped she would help revive a stagnant offense that caused them so many problems last season. They lacked sufficient and consistent scoring, as well as a floor general who could reliably pass to players down low, such…
