Mercury news: Nate Tibbetts reveals Kelsey Plum's final status for Mystics clash appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kelsey Plum scuffled in her Phoenix Mercury home debut Tuesday night against the Washington Mystics, and unfortunately, she will not get the chance to redeem herself in Thursday’s rematch. Third-year head coach Nate Tibbetts revealed that the two-time WNBA champion will miss the contest due to a lower leg injury, per Stephen PridGeon-Garner.
Plum has played in only 17 games this season, as injuries continue to ravage her 10th campaign. She began as a hopeful member of the Los Angeles Sparks, scoring 188 points across her first seven games, but she is now struggling to stay on the court and will be denied the opportunity to compete in the playoffs for a second straight year.
One has to wonder if competitive aspirations will play a key role in Plum’s pending free agency decision. She is still focused on the present, however.
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The 2022 All-WNBA First-Team selection and five-time All-Star is a member of the Team USA roster for the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup. Play begins on Sept. 4 in Berlin, Germany, so she does not have much time to gain medical clearance. Counting Thursday’s showdown with the Mystics, the Mercury have two games remaining before the league goes on a two-and-a-half-week pause.
The veteran guard’s last chance to compete before the World Cup will be in a Saturday home matchup versus the Toronto Tempo. Kelsey Plum is averaging 21.5 points, 5.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from behind the 3-point line this season. She will look on as Phoenix (13-25) tries to end a three-game losing streak.
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