Coming into the 2021 season, many questioned how Las Vegas guard Kelsey Plum would play returning from an Achilles injury. Plum returned to the team, playing the sixth woman role for the Aces. In that role, she was able to have one of the best seasons in her career. Plum was named AP’s Sixth Woman of the Year and Comeback Player of The Year. She was also second in Most Improved Player of the Year voting.
In her fourth season, Plum saw improvements in scoring and steals. She averaged 14.8 points and one steal per game. KP was able to adjust pretty well in her new role coming off the bench, where she provided valuable production to the team. When Plum comes into the game, she brings a new kind of energy, upping the tempo soon as she checks in. Always looking to score, Plum can heat up at any giving moment. Quite a few times this season, Plum would catch fire down the stretch and help the Aces win games late. Her play has made the Aces’ bench one of the most productive benches in the league.
Explosive Offense
Earlier this season, in the first matchup against the New York Liberty, Plum scored a career-high 32 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. After this game, there were talks that KP could have a shot at winning the Sixth Player of the Year award. She looked comfortable as ever during that game as she was able to find her rhythm against a young Liberty squad. She consistently scored in double figures throughout the season but really lit it up in the back stretch. In the month of September, Plum averaged 21.7 points and was named the Western Conference Player of the month. After the best regular season of her career, she was named Sixth Player and Comeback Player of the Year.
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Going Gold
Plum was a member of the USA Women’s 3×3 team at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. Joining her was her teammate Jackie Young, Dallas Wings guard Allisha Gray and Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson. This was her first time being an Olympian. We were able to see KP thrive in the fast paced 3×3 setting. She helped the team tremendously on offense as she led them in scoring. They went on to win the gold medal in a tough game against ROC.
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Plum, Breanna Stewart, and Kevin Durant all dealt with the same injury and returned to form. They were called the “Achilles Gang” after the Men’s and Women’s national teams won gold medals.
Playoff Plum
In the playoffs, Plum’s production is needed more than ever as they aim to return to the WNBA Finals. In the ongoing series against the Phoenix Mercury, Plum is averaging 19 points, 3.5 assists and 1.25 steals through four games. Despite only scoring six points in game three, Plum has continued to be the high energy player she has been all season. She is a big part of their offense and will need to continue to perform at a high level for the Aces in order for them to win it all. With the series tied up at two games apiece, the Aces will need a big performance from Plum in a do-or-die game five at home.
