The Los Angeles Sparks opened the 2025 WNBA season with an 84-67 victory over the Golden State Valkyries, led by a historic performance from newly acquired guard Kelsey Plum.

In her Sparks debut, Plum set the WNBA record for most points in a season opener (37) and became the first player in league history to record 35+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals in a single game. The ninth-year veteran added five assists, five steals, and shot a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line.

Plum scored 26 points in the second half, including 17 in the third quarter alone, extending a Sparks lead to as many as 15. Los Angeles never trailed in the second half and closed the game by limiting Golden State to just seven points in the fourth quarter.

Dearica Hamby notched her 43rd career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, tying Liz Cambage for 31st on the WNBA all-time list. Forward-center Azurá Stevens also added 11 points, five rebounds, and matched her career high with four steals. Stevens’ eight first-quarter points sparked Los Angeles.

Guard Odyssey Sims matched Plum for the team lead in assists with six, posting a game-high +25 in the game. The veteran also contributed seven points and two steals.

On the night, Los Angeles finished with a 40-22 edge in paint points, a 25-15 advantage in points off turnovers and outscored its opponent by 17-9 on the fast break. The Sparks shot 52.9% from the field in the first half and convered 19-of-21 free throws in the game (90.5%).

Rookie Guard Sarah Ashlee Barker made her WNBA debut off the bench and scored her first career points on a second-quarter jump shot. Friday’s win marked the first career WNBA regular-season victory for Head Coach Lynne Roberts in her debut with the Sparks.