Unbelievable! Kelsey Plum Breaks Longstanding WNBA Record in First Game with Sparks

In a debut that will go down as one of the most electrifying performances in WNBA history, Kelsey Plum shattered expectations and a league record—all in just one game.

Plum, who made a high-profile move to the Los Angeles Sparks during the offseason, wasted absolutely no time making an impact. In her very first game donning the purple and gold, she broke the WNBA’s single-game scoring record, previously held by Liz Cambage (53 points in 2018), by dropping an astonishing 55 points in a dominant victory over the league’s newest team, the Nashville Valkyries.

A Night to Remember

From the opening tip, Plum looked locked in. She came off screens with purpose, handled pressure with poise, and sank shots from nearly every spot on the floor. Whether it was off-the-dribble threes, mid-range pull-ups, or slashing finishes through contact, she scored in every imaginable way.

By halftime, she had already scored 28 points. But it wasn’t until the fourth quarter, with fans on their feet and the Sparks bench erupting after every basket, that history began to unfold. With just under a minute left in the game and Plum sitting at 52 points, she drained a step-back three from near the logo—pushing her total to 55 and rewriting the WNBA record books.

The Crypto.com Arena exploded.

“I had no idea I was that close to the record,” Plum said in the postgame interview. “I was just in the zone. It was one of those nights where everything felt right.”

Final Stats: A Masterclass in Scoring

Kelsey Plum’s final stat line reads like something out of a video game:

55 points (WNBA record)

10 assists

6 rebounds

9/13 from three-point range

Shot 64% from the field

+31 plus-minus

The performance was not only prolific—it was efficient. And it came in just 33 minutes of play.

Plum’s ability to score without forcing shots demonstrated her maturity and command of the game. She didn’t hunt for the record. The record came to her.

A Franchise Reborn?

The Los Angeles Sparks have struggled in recent seasons to return to their championship form. But with the arrival of Kelsey Plum, things are looking brighter than ever. This performance instantly changes the narrative around the franchise.

Head coach Curt Miller could hardly contain his excitement after the game:

“Kelsey is everything we hoped for and more. She’s a leader, a playmaker, and clearly—she’s a record-breaker. This is just the beginning.”

Teammates echoed the sentiment, rallying around Plum with high-fives and cheers after her final shot. Nneka Ogwumike, watching from the sideline, said:
“I’ve seen great games. But this? This was a moment in time. We’re witnessing greatness.”

A Statement to the League

While the Sparks celebrated, the rest of the league took notice. Players, coaches, analysts, and fans lit up social media with reactions to Plum’s jaw-dropping performance.

A’ja Wilson, Plum’s former teammate with the Aces, tweeted: “Okay KP! We see you!! Proud of you girl 🔥💯.”

Sue Bird, now retired, chimed in: “That’s how you announce yourself. Welcome to L.A., Kelsey Plum.”

WNBA analyst LaChina Robinson wrote: “That was the most locked-in I’ve ever seen Kelsey. If this is her new baseline, the league is in trouble.”

Even fans who had doubted the Sparks’ playoff hopes are now revising their expectations. Overnight, Kelsey Plum turned L.A. into a must-watch team.

The Valkyries’ Tough First Test

Unfortunately for the Nashville Valkyries, this record-breaking night came at their expense. The Valkyries, the newest expansion franchise in the WNBA, were playing their very first game. Despite showing flashes of potential with young stars like guard Serena Westbrook and center Joy Adebayo, they simply couldn’t match Plum’s firepower.

Head coach Shannon Caldwell remained optimistic in defeat:

“This was a baptism by fire,” Caldwell said. “Kelsey Plum is a future Hall of Famer, and tonight she showed why. But this is just game one for us. We’ll learn from it.”

Bigger Than the Box Score

What made Plum’s night so memorable wasn’t just the stats. It was the energy. The crowd, the confidence, the intensity—everything about her performance carried the weight of someone who knew this was her moment.

After being traded from the Aces—where she helped win a championship—many wondered how she would respond in a new environment. Would she fit in? Would she lead? Would she flourish?

Now we know the answer: Absolutely.

“I’ve always felt like I had more to give,” Plum said. “I loved my time in Vegas, but this is a new chapter. I’m here to lead, to win, and to inspire.”

The Road Ahead

Following this historic performance, the Sparks will head to Seattle for a much-anticipated showdown with the Storm. Fans will be eager to see whether Plum can keep up this incredible pace—or if this was simply one unforgettable night.

But regardless of what happens next, one thing is clear:
Kelsey Plum has already cemented her name in the WNBA history books.

Her debut wasn’t just great—it was record-breaking, electrifying, and legendary.

Final Thoughts

There are debuts, and then there are moments that define careers.
Kelsey Plum’s first game as a Spark was the latter.

It sent a message to every team in the league:
She’s not here to adjust—she’s here to dominate.