Nneka Ogwumike gets real on difficulty of playing after Kelsey Plum trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Sparks‘ trade of Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury became official about a half hour before the team’s game against the Portland Fire Sunday afternoon. The Sparks were able to snap a six-game losing streak, defeating the Fire, 106-101, but after the game, the Plum trade was the main topic of conversation, with fellow All-Star Nneka Ogwumike chiming with her thoughts.
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Nneka Ogwumike has been one of the Sparks’ veteran leaders this season, a year that hasn’t quite gone as expected. A veteran of 15 years in the league and having seen close teammates get traded plenty of times, Ogwumike still hasn’t gotten used to getting the news that someone is no longer on the team. But she was proud of the way the group as a whole responded against the Fire.
“It’s not the type of news that you’re hoping for, but at the end of the day we want everyone to feel good about where they’re at. And I had a good conversation with KP, so wish her all the best. Really wish her great health,” Ogwumike said during her postgame press conference. “I think we really took it upon ourselves to be pros today and to play as focused as we could. At the end of the day, a game had to get played today.
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“It’s something you don’t really want to get used to as a player, but unfortunately you have to. There’s the business of it all, but the business affects people you have relationships with. So I think we just did a good job of wishing her well, and then also staying focused.”
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The Kelsey Plum trade came following a week in which a report surfaced suggesting that she would not re-sign with the Sparks in the offseason. As an unrestricted free agent, the Sparks risked losing her for nothing if they did not deal her at the WNBA trade deadline.
Although Plum had recently returned to practice and had every intention of playing on Sunday against the Fire, talks had seemingly intensified in the days leading up to the deadline. Prior to the game, although unable to speak directly about the trade since it had not yet been made official, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts acknowledged the strong resolve still in the locker room to finish the season on a high note.
That was the mindset that Ogwumike brought in the win against the Fire, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes of play. Staying focused on the task at hand is the best way she’s learned to respond to a popular teammate being traded.
“It’s unfortunate, but I’ve experienced it a lot of times. It’s not something that you necessarily get used to. But at the end of the day you just want everyone to feel like they’re in a good situation,” Ogwumike continued. “The best way that I’ve figured out how to deal with it is just to lock in to the day. Today was game day and just channeling my energy to do what I could for us to get a win today.”
Related: Lynne Roberts reveals Sparks’ determined mindset amid pending Kelsey Plum trade
Related: WNBA rumors: Kelsey Plum still intends to test free agency after Mercury-Sparks trade
