Kelsey Plum Ignites Sparks with Third-Quarter Surge as Angel Reese Keeps Marching Toward WNBA History

By all accounts, Sunday’s matinee between the Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky was a tale of two missions. For the Sparks, it was about snapping a demoralizing three-game losing streak. For Angel Reese, it was another chapter in what’s shaping up to be a historic rookie campaign. In the end, Los Angeles prevailed 91–78, but both storylines left a strong imprint on the league’s narrative this weekend.

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Plum’s Fire Fuels Sparks’ Turnaround

Much of the credit for LA’s bounce-back win belongs to Kelsey Plum, who delivered one of the most dynamic single-quarter performances of the WNBA season. After a quiet start, Plum erupted for 17 of her game-high 28 points in the third quarter alone, pushing the Sparks into a double-digit lead that they never relinquished.

It was an outburst sparked, unexpectedly, by a bit of sideline heckling.

“There was a guy, I think he was with LA, but he was trash talking to me,” Plum said postgame. “He was like, ‘Come on!’ And I was like, ‘I’ve been coming on!’ But he got me going.” The fan, as it turns out, became an accidental catalyst. “In the third quarter he’s like, ‘See what I mean?’ I’m like, ‘Okay, you can take the credit for that.’”

Plum’s ability to shift into attack mode while still orchestrating the offense speaks to her growing comfort in a demanding system. In addition to her scoring, she tied teammate Dearica Hamby with a game-high eight assists.

“This system asks a lot of me… It’s not easy,” Plum admitted. “But I don’t give a damn about the points — I’m here to win.”

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Reese’s Relentless Rebounding Continues to Make History

On the other side of the court, Angel Reese quietly continued her record-setting trajectory. The Sky rookie notched another double-double — her fourth of the season — with 13 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 32 minutes. Her consistency on the boards keeps her on track to become the fastest player in WNBA history to reach both 500 points and 500 rebounds.

Reese’s play remains a bright spot in a season of growing pains for Chicago. Her physicality inside and hustle on both ends have made her a foundational piece in the Sky’s rebuild. Sunday’s performance was just another reminder that her floor is already high — and her ceiling even higher.

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Team Effort Behind Sparks’ Victory

While Plum stole the headlines, she wasn’t alone in LA’s strong showing. Azurá Stevens added 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in a well-rounded effort. Dearica Hamby contributed across the board with 10 points, six boards, eight assists, and six steals — her defensive impact especially disruptive to Chicago’s rhythm.

Odyssey Sims stayed hot with 12 points, while rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker chipped in with a season-high nine points and hit a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter to halt a Sky run. Barker’s early scoring helped set the tone for LA after both teams got off to a slow offensive start.

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A Tale of Two Third Quarters

The Sparks’ third-quarter dominance stood in stark contrast to their recent performances. In prior losses, that period had been their undoing — marked by sluggish offense and defensive breakdowns. On Sunday, it was a complete turnaround. LA outscored Chicago 33–25 in the third, riding a wave of momentum from Plum’s scoring barrage and defensive tenacity across the roster.

Although the Sky made a late push, cutting the lead to single digits early in the fourth, the Sparks responded with an 8-0 run to reestablish control. That kind of resilience had been missing in previous games and could mark a turning point for a team still searching for consistency.

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Looking Ahead

For LA, the mission is clear: replicate that third-quarter intensity across all four quarters. If Sunday’s win is to be more than a temporary reprieve, the Sparks must build on the lessons learned — especially the importance of staying locked in after halftime.

They’ll get a chance to do exactly that when they continue their homestand on Tuesday, May 27, against the Atlanta Dream.

As for Reese, her campaign continues to build toward a historic milestone. But beyond the numbers, it’s the grit, hustle, and leadership she displays that suggest her rookie season is only the beginning of something much bigger.

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Final Thoughts

Kelsey Plum’s performance on Sunday was more than just a scoring outburst — it was a reminder of her star power and a statement that this Sparks team, despite its early-season struggles, still has fight. Angel Reese’s development, meanwhile, is rapidly moving from impressive to legendary.

Two teams. Two journeys. One unforgettable afternoon in Los Angeles.

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Additional Context:

• Kelsey Plum, a former No. 1 overall pick, has steadily evolved into one of the league’s premier combo guards. This latest performance only cements her reputation as a fearless competitor and clutch scorer.
• Angel Reese is averaging a double-double through her rookie campaign — a rare feat that places her among elite company in WNBA history. According to Basketball Reference, only a handful of rookies have ever averaged 10+ rebounds per game over a season.

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Box Score Highlights:

• Los Angeles Sparks:
  • Kelsey Plum: 28 pts, 8 ast
  • Azurá Stevens: 24 pts, 8 reb
  • Dearica Hamby: 10 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast, 6 stl
  • Odyssey Sims: 12 pts
  • Sarah Ashlee Barker: 9 pts
• Chicago Sky:
  • Angel Reese: 13 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl
  • Courtney Vandersloot and Rebecca Allen: Impactful early runs
  • Kamilla Cardoso: Limited due to foul trouble, added late-game scoring

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