Aug 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) scores with no time remaining against Dallas Wings center Luisa Geiselsoder (18) for the game-winning basket at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Sparks Notes: Kelsey Plum Gets Brutally Honest, Paige Bueckers Makes Statement in LA

Originally posted on Los Angeles Sparks on SI
By Ben Geffner | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 4:44 PM ET

In an on-court interview immediately following last Wednesday's game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings, Kelsey Plum was asked about matching up against Wings' star rookie Paige Bueckers, as well as keys to success as the 2025 regular season winds down — with the Sparks still searching for a playoff spot. Her response was simple and honest.

Bueckers made a statement in the contest. The rookie put together an impressive career-high effort, but it wasn't enough. A thrilling game-winner by Plum cemented the dramatic 81-80 L.A. win.

Here’s all the latest Sparks news and stories (click the headline for the full article):

Sparks’ Kelsey Plum Gets Brutally Honest After Paige Bueckers’ Historic Night

Wings' Paige Bueckers Breaks WNBA Record Against Kelsey Plum's Sparks

Paige Bueckers Responds to Viral Sophie Cunningham Comments on Referee Drama

Sparks' Kelsey Plum Responds to Viral Caitlin Clark, WNBA All-Star Drama

Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reveals Reason Behind Las Vegas Aces Departure

Sparks' Kelsey Plum Sets Single-Season Record in Loss to Liberty

Liberty Share Major Breanna Stewart Injury Update Before Tuesday's Sparks Rematch

Sparks' Julie Vanloo Finds Belief From Within Amid WNBA Ascent

Sparks' Alissa Pili's Career Resurgence Shaped by WNBA's Whirlwind Free Agent Process

The Art of a Block: Inside Sparks' Cameron Brink's Defensive Mindset Following Return

Sparks Tweets of the Day:

The NBA's 24-second shot clock — created by Danny Biasone and first adopted in 1954 — will have a new look in October.

The Lakers’ home arena recently made the change to the all-new circular, LED-infused shot clock:https://t.co/ruxWdAd3Tu
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) August 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers on the effectiveness and her maintained use of the mid-range shot:

“Basketball has gotten away from it … It’s really hard to guard, and teams don’t have counters for it [anymore].” pic.twitter.com/NUXlu2q1PT
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) August 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers on scoring a career-high 44 points, and her overall success as a rookie in the WNBA:

“People have gotten to see the struggle, the injuries, the times where I couldn’t play … For me to have [this] story and people to continue to believe in me, it means a lot.” pic.twitter.com/ZtRDg0mImI
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) August 21, 2025

Following a buzzer-beater ending to Sparks vs Wings, here’s Kelsey Plum on allowing Paige Bueckers to score 44 points:

“We gotta play some f—-ing defense.” pic.twitter.com/3fO3jzJRJm
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) August 21, 2025

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

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Sparks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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