It’s homecoming for Kelsey Plum! Arguably the biggest move of this WNBA offseason was the longtime Aces guard getting shipped off to the Los Angeles Sparks in a blockbuster three-team deal. And now, for the first time ever, she’s going up against her former squad – the same one that drafted her No. 1 overall back in 2017, the same one she won two titles with.
And while the Sparks have had a bit of a bumpy ride to start their 2025 campaign – just two wins in six games so far – Friday night’s clash against the Las Vegas Aces couldn’t be more hyped. But just when they need all hands on deck, LA’s already hit a tough snag.
Rickea Jackson ‘NWT’ against LV Aces
One of the Sparks’ brightest young stars won’t even be suiting up tonight. Rickea Jackson has officially been ruled “NWT” (Not With Team) due to personal reasons, and fans are understandably a little on edge. Anytime a player misses a game for non-injury, non-suspension reasons, the alarm bells go off.
And with Rickea, it hits a little harder because if you caught her after the Sparks’ recent loss to the Atlanta Dream, you might’ve noticed, she looked emotional. That was her first game back after a stretch in the league’s concussion protocol, and clearly, it wasn’t the smoothest return.
Here’s another one:
Rickea Jackson (personal) is listed as NWT for tomorrow’s Sparks-Aces matchup.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) May 30, 2025
She played just 12 minutes, grabbed a single rebound, and went 0-of-3 from the floor. In 2024, she was averaging a solid 13.4 points and nearly 4 boards. This year, it’s down to just 7.0 points and 3 rebounds. It’s been a rocky start for the second-year forward, but Sparks fans still believe in her long-term potential.
Head coach Lynne Roberts was clear that Jackson cleared every stage of the protocol and was brought back carefully. But now she won’t be lacing up- again. It stings more because LA’s already missing Rae Burrell (leg injury) and Cameron Brink (still recovering from that ACL). That makes Jackson’s absence a pretty major blow.
Over on the Aces side, they’re not at full strength either. Megan Gustafson is out with a leg issue and Cheyenne Parker is sidelined for personal reasons.
Expected Starters:
Sparks:
Dearica Hamby
Azura Stevens
Odyssey Sims
Kelsey Plum
Sarah Ashlee Barker
Aces:
Kiah Stokes
A’ja Wilson
Chelsea Gray
Jewell Loyd
Jackie Young
Is Kelsey Plum the next big test for the Aces?
The Las Vegas Aces have been the gold standard in the WNBA over the last few seasons. Two titles between 2022 and 2023 and nearly a third before the Liberty halted the dream in the semis. With A’ja Wilson reigning as MVP and Becky Hammon pulling the strings from the sidelines, another championship run isn’t just a goal, it’s the expectation.
But this season has thrown them a few unexpected curveballs. After giving up 102 points in a tough loss to the Seattle Storm on Sunday, the Aces suddenly look more vulnerable than usual. And their next challenge might hit a little too close to home.
Plum, now donning a Sparks jersey, has been electric. She is second in the league in scoring at 25.2 points per game, trailing only Napheesa Collier. The Sparks may not have seen postseason action since 2021, but Plum’s arrival has brought a new edge to LA’s game. For the Aces, seeing a familiar face torching defenses isn’t going to be easy.
May 25, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots the ball against Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Coach Hammon isn’t sugarcoating it either. “Plum requires special defense,” she said. “She’s just too elite of a player to let her do whatever she wants.” It’s not personal..it’s just smart basketball. As Hammon put it, players like Plum, Sabrina Ionescu, or Caitlin Clark demand a different approach. And judging by how the Aces’ latest practice ran 45 minutes longer than scheduled, the team is taking that approach seriously.
Defense was front and center, with some tweaks on the offensive end too. Now it’s time to see if all that prep pays off.
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