In the midst of a tumultuous season, Kelsey Plum has emerged as a beacon of resilience for the Las Vegas Aces. Despite struggling with a high-profile divorce and navigating the team’s most regular-season losses in five years, Plum has persevered, crediting her closest friends and teammates for their unwavering support.
When Plum’s performance suffered in the opening game of the WNBA playoffs, she knew she needed to regroup. In an unexpected setting – a sushi bar – she made a conscious decision to move forward, leaving her subpar performance behind. The result was a remarkable turnaround, as she led the Aces to a Game 2 victory against the Seattle Storm.
However, the semifinals have presented a new challenge for the two-time defending WNBA champions. The New York Liberty lead 2-0 in the best-of-five series, and the Aces must now win three consecutive games to advance. Plum acknowledges the uphill battle ahead, but remains proud of her ability to show up and compete despite the adversity she’s faced.
“I’m proud I showed up this year,” Plum said. “The fact that I’m playing basketball now is a great achievement. Obviously, we really want another championship. But I also feel like I already won. Everything else is kind of house money.”
Plum’s journey has been marked by peaks and valleys, both on and off the court. She’s had to contend with the dissolution of her marriage, which she describes as a painful and public experience. Yet, she’s found solace in her faith and the support of those around her, including her Aces teammates.
A’ja Wilson, Plum’s teammate and fellow No. 1 draft pick, has been a constant source of encouragement. “I’m just grateful I have really great people around me to help pick up the pieces,” Plum said. Wilson echoed this sentiment, stating, “I have her back no matter what. It could be those dark days we’ve all been down that may look different for each of us, but we get it.”
As the Aces prepare for Game 3 against the Liberty, Plum is drawing on her reserves of resilience, built up over years of self-reflection and perseverance. Her college career at Washington was marked by success, but also by struggles to balance her identity as a person and a player. Her WNBA rookie season was rocky, but she’s since found her footing, earning All-Star honors and Olympic gold medals.
Coach Becky Hammon attributes Plum’s growth to her willingness to trust and be trusted. “I don’t think she felt valued before,” Hammon said. “I’ve tried to put a lot of trust in her and let her grow. Not only as a basketball player, but off the court. She has had so much growth, through some really hard stuff. She’s just really blossomed into this beautiful person.”
As the Aces face their toughest test yet, Plum remains focused on the present moment, refusing to let adversity define her. “You go through things in life and build this level of resilience,” she said. “Sometimes you say, ‘Why is this happening?’ But then you realize if you didn’t go through things before, you wouldn’t be able to handle it now.”
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