The 2025 WNBA season tipped off on Friday night with a three-game tripleheader that included Paige Bueckers’ first career game and also featured the Los Angeles Sparks going up against the Golden State Valkyries.
Of course, this was the first game in franchise history for the Valkyries and it did not go in their favor as the Sparks were able to cruise to an 84-67 victory to pick up their first win of the new season.
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Golden State had a solid start to the game as they led by one point at the end of the first quarter, but Los Angeles was able to outscore them for the rest of the game, leading to the victory.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum holds the ball at Chase Center.Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Kelsey Plum led the way for the Sparks with 37 points, two rebounds and six assists in the win while Dearica Hamby added 14 points and 10 rebounds of her own.
This was an impressive victory for the Sparks as they were able to start their season off on the right foot and it was also an incredible game for Plum in her team debut.
With her performance in Friday night’s victory, Plum also made WNBA history.
The WNBA announced that Plum’s 37 points is the most points in a season opener in league history, breaking the previous record of 34 points which was held by WNBA legends Maya Moore, Candace Parker and Katie Smith.
Napheesa Collier also scored 34 points to tie the record earlier on Friday night in the Minnesota Lynx’s victory over Bueckers and the Dallas Wings but it was quickly broken by Plum.
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This is an incredible accomplishment for Plum, especially with it being her first regular season game with the Sparks.
Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum shoots against Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton.Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Of course, Plum was traded to Los Angeles in a blockbuster move with the Las Vegas Aces and it did not take long for the two-time champion to fit in with her new team.
Plum and the Sparks will now look to pick up their second victory of the season on Sunday night on the road against the Lynx.