“I’m gonna be where my feet are.” These were Kelsey Plum‘s words when a trade from the Los Angeles Sparks was nothing more than speculation. But after a blockbuster deal sent the five-time WNBA All-Star guard to the Phoenix Mercury, the 31-year-old won’t get much time to settle in. Plum is all set to make her debut for the Mercury on Monday as the team takes on the Chicago Sky. As it turns out, her stance has not changed after joining a new team mid-season, which she spoke on during her Mercury introductory press conference on August 3.
“I am where my feet are…Two nights ago it was in Portland, and now it’s here. But that’s why I’m a professional. I’m paid to play basketball at the highest level, and that’s what I’m going to do tonight.”
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At Wintrust Arena, Kelsey Plum will step on the court for the first time in more than five weeks after suffering a lower leg injury on June 21. Although she was expected to return to the hardwood against the Portland Fire while still with the Sparks, Plum was traded to Phoenix early Sunday morning in exchange for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round selection. And judging by the reaction from her new teammates, this might just be the place where she earns her third WNBA championship.
As soon as she arrived in Chicago, Plum was welcomed with loud cheers and open arms by the Mercury organization – a moment she said left her feeling overwhelmed and grateful. She elaborated on the welcome, as she noted in the same introductory press conference.
“I was overwhelmed, to be honest. All this happened really fast, very unexpected, personally. So, I think for me I was just kind of overwhelmed. Just felt like God’s grace on me, to be honest. It’s been a crazy 48 hours, but to be received like that from teammates, from the staff, from the organization, I’m just super grateful.”
According to an X post by Underdog WNBA, Phoenix GM Nick U’Ren was very excited to retain the five-time All-Star for the foreseeable future.
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“We’ve coveted her for a long time … we hope we’re building something that she’s a part of for a long time.”
Now, although she ideally would have had some time to settle in and find her footing with her new team, the Mercury want her on the court as soon as possible.
Only 14 games remain in the regular season, and with Kelsey Plum already missing a significant stretch due to injury, Phoenix will want her to get comfortable quickly. Still, she expects to play around 20 minutes in her debut game.
In the 12 games Plum played for the Sparks before being sidelined, she averaged 23.9 points per game, placing her among the league’s elite scorers. And let’s not forget that she won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2024 Olympics alongside Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper. So now that she has reunited with both stars in Phoenix, the Mercury suddenly look like one of the most dangerous teams in the WNBA.
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The Mercury currently rank 11th in the league standings, with a record of 11-19, but the addition of a healthy Kelsey Plum alongside her Olympic teammates could give them the push they require to make the playoffs this season.
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The post “I’m Where My Feet Are”: Kelsey Plum Breaks Silence on Phoenix Debut After Cameras Catch Warm Reception From Mercury Teammates appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
