Kelsey Plum, Sparks Eliminated From WNBA Playoff Contention

Plum misses the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Aug 31, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) reacts against the Washington Mystics in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Sparks have officially been eliminated from 2025 WNBA playoff contention. Seattle, following its 74-73 win over Golden State on Tuesday, claim the No. 8 and final postseason spot.

Read more: Sparks' Rickea Jackson Talks Mindset Playing Through Injury, Calls Out Opponents 

Despite a Sparks' 88-83 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, the Storm victory officially ends the purple and gold's playoff hopes.

BREAKING: The Sparks are officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Even after LA’s 88-83 win tonight, Seattle seals the No. 8 seed with a 74-73 victory over Golden State.

Kelsey Plum misses the WNBA postseason for the first time since 2018.https://t.co/eq9bARNku4

— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) September 10, 2025

Dearica Hamby scored a game-high 25 points in the road victory — 16 of which came in the fourth quarter of L.A.'s penultimate regular season contest of 2025.

“I came here two years ago, and that was the plan, a longterm build," Hamby said postgame, per Justin Russo. "I think we took steps in the right direction. … We were two games away, but I can count on two hands games that we kinda gave up. Still positive, though, and good momentum for the future.”

Sparks' star guard Kelsey Plum misses the WNBA postseason for the first time since 2018. Plum arrived in L.A. this January in a blockbuster three-team trade with Seattle and Las Vegas.

The scene at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena as the Storm clinch the No. 8 and final WNBA playoff spot, via @lmhelmbrecht.

Erica Wheeler’s buzzer-beater eliminates the L.A. Sparks from postseason contention.https://t.co/K3DG41Xbulpic.twitter.com/Fg0XVFOKrn

— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) September 10, 2025

The Sparks officially miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season — with their last postseason appearance coming in 2020.

Read more: Former Sparks Guard Signed By Fever Amid Caitlin Clark's Absence   

Still, L.A. drastically improved in Sparks' coach Lynne Roberts' first season at the helm, bouncing back from a 8-32 finish in 2024 to sport a 21-22 record in 2025 — still with a regular-season finale to play against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday.

“Regardless of what happens on Thursday, the way we’ve persevered through [the injuries] and stuck together, I am proud of [this team]," Roberts said postgame on Tuesday, reflecting on L.A.'s 2025 campaign. "It’s disappointing to not make the playoffs. But I certainly don’t feel like it’s a failure.”

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.