Kelsey Plum's Buzzer-Beater: A Turning Point for the Los Angeles Sparks

Los Angeles Sparks Kelsey Plum secured an 80-81 victory over Dallas Wings with her buzzer-beater Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. - Photo by Jackie Rae

The Los Angeles Sparks sealed an epic win over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night, thanks to a buzzer-beater by the team's star player, Kelsey Plum. With Wings rookie sensation Paige Bueckers making history by dropping 44 points—the most ever by a rookie in a single game—the matchup was destined to come down to the wire.

Videos and quotes of Plum seated beside head coach Lynne Roberts and her teammate at the postgame press conference should have lit up social media. Fans should have felt energized, believing that a playoff push was still within reach. Instead, something felt off—and truthfully, it has for some time.

Kelsey Plum secures the win for the Los Angeles Sparks against the Dallas Wings.

In early February, Plum made her debut in Los Angeles during an emotional media day. In front of reporters, family, and friends, she set the tone by giving everyone hope. Her desire to return the franchise to "Sparks basketball" aimed to end a five-year drought from the postseason.

Despite the team's struggles, that hope is still very much alive. However, securing a one-on-one interview with Plum to discuss her journey has been challenging. From requesting reporters to submit questions in advance to postponing interviews altogether, opportunities to connect her story to the fan base—her motivations, her joys, her humanity—have been scarce.

To be fair, Plum has participated in postgame press conferences before. But with access so limited, those appearances rarely allow for conversations beyond the night’s game. The Sparks' media room is small, and frustrations about limited access to Plum abound.

For a brief moment, her game-winning shot seemed like it would cut through all that tension. Surely she would take the podium after a made-for-TV buzzer-beater that secured an 80-81 victory over Dallas. She did not.

Instead, head coach Lynne Roberts was joined by Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson, who provided valuable perspective. Brink admitted she is still working to build her offensive confidence, choosing instead to focus on defense.

“It’s really hard to come back,” Brink said. She played a season-high 19 minutes, posting 11 points and eight rebounds—four of them offensive, creating crucial second-chance points.

"I've definitely struggled with my confidence," she explained. “My teammates are great; they instill confidence in me. [Coach] Lynne has done a great job about that. I just appreciate their patience, but I think it’s just been hard. It's like you're jumping on a moving train.”

Coach Roberts emphasized that Brink's career-high of four offensive rebounds were pivotal in the second half. “That counts as offense in my book, too,” she said.

Jackson, meanwhile, apologized for a late technical foul, noting she felt it should have been a double tech. The accountability led to an endearing moment where Jackson received support not only from the media but from head coach Roberts as she patted her on the back. The honesty, chemistry, love, and support this team has for one another was on full display.

But there was still one looming question: where is KP?

When the presser wrapped, Plum stood in the hallway with Sparks staff and two well-known reporters. At first, it seemed she was simply prioritizing outlets with the largest reach. But then came the tears, the retreat, and the quiet admission: she didn't trust reporters.

Most reporters genuinely want to see this team succeed. Not just because covering a winning season is easier, but because we've seen the trials and tribulations the team has endured—and the relentless hard work, resilience, and growth of this legacy franchise.

It's fair to assume that reporters will inevitably ask questions that players or coaches don't want to answer. But just as much as asking tough questions is part of the job, "No comment" is a very acceptable answer.

The WNBA is experiencing exceptional growth. It's an exciting time, especially for reporters who have a love for the game. They work hard to ensure that portraying the human side of the players will endear them to fans not just today, but for generations to come.

As the Sparks fight for the postseason, one truth is clear: trust between players and media can’t be the missing piece. Just as respect for the league grows, so must respect for those working to tell its stories.

In conclusion, Kelsey Plum's journey with the Los Angeles Sparks is just beginning. Her buzzer-beater not only secured a thrilling victory but also highlighted the need for connection and trust within the team and with the media. As the Sparks continue their quest for the playoffs, fans and reporters alike will be watching closely, hoping for more moments of triumph and connection.