Kelsey Plum's Explicit 7-Word Plea After Game Winner vs Wings Says It All
While much of the women's basketball community was sleeping on Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings produced an all-time classic game on the Sparks' home court.
Wings star rookie Paige Bueckers stole the show, as she finished the game with a career-high 44 points. This is the most points a single player has scored in a WNBA game this season and tied the legendary Cynthia Cooper’s 28-year-old record for most points in a game by a first-year player, according to ESPN.
Despite this generational performance from Paige, the Wings didn't win the game. Los Angeles pulled off an 81-80 victory at the hands of superstar Kelsey Plum, who drained a game-winning buzzer beater.
Plum was dribbling around the three-point line as the block was ticking down and her Sparks were losing 79-80. She then penetrated into the paint and got off a floater with about two seconds remaining. The shot went off the backboard and straight in the hoop as time ran out.
KELSEY PLUM WINS IT AT THE BUZZER FOR THE SPARKS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/gOc3pf8KwT
— NBA (@NBA) August 21, 2025
Kelsey Plum's Emphatic Defensive Statement After Game Winner Against Wings
Despite them having lost three straight games, eight of their last nine, and holding a 9-27 record on the season, the Wings have actually been pretty solid on offense of late. Much of this is owed to Bueckers, of course, who has already asserted herself as one of the league's elite guards.
However, Dallas was without Bueckers' partner in crime, Arike Ogunbowale, who is sidelined with tendinitis in her knee for the time being. Perhaps Arike being out was the basis of Plum's frustration after the game ended, which was proven through an emphatic message.
A sideline reporter speaking with Plum postgame said, "I know this is a playoff push. Nine-game season for you guys. How do you turn the page, and get ready for the next one?"
"Yeah. We gotta play some f****** defense," Plum responded before walking off.
Reporter: I know this is a playoff push 9 games season for you guys how do you turn the page and get ready for the next one
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) August 21, 2025
Kelsey Plum: WE GOTTA PLAY SOME FUCKING DEFENSE
💀💀💀 fine incoming pic.twitter.com/uMzWQR0QE0
Plum has never been one to mince words, as she's typically one of the more outspoken players in the league, regardless of what she's speaking about. And while this has landed her in hot water at times (like it probably will with this statement, as she could earn a fine for dropping an f-bomb on live television), it has also endeared her to countless women's basketball fans.
Plum's Sparks squad is currently on the outside looking in for the 2025 WNBA playoffs, as they currently told the No. 9 seed and the top eight teams make it. However, they're only a half-game back from the Seattle Storm and have been playing great of late.
But Plum clearly isn't satisfied with the Sparks' current form, and seems to think her team's defense needs improving if they're to finish this season strong.
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Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.
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