With Kelsey Plum sidelined for at least four weeks, the LA Sparks’ playoff window just narrowed, and their defensive struggles are under the spotlight. Veteran Dearica Hamby has spoken up about the challenges to the team's defensive identity. The Sparks will need to fight for a place in the playoffs without Plum.

The Sparks announced on Wednesday, June 24, that Plum has suffered a lower left leg injury and will be out for at least four weeks before reevaluation. Hamby spoke about the Sparks' defensive problems on July 1 during media availability, with reporter John W. Davis posting her comments on X.

"Figuring it out," Hamby told the reporters. "I think we gotta find something that we're good at and stick to it. We just wanted to play good defense, and it just hasn't worked this far."

Hamby also talked about how the team needs to focus on offense now that Plum has been out for at least a month.

"Our offense is built to create advantages," she said. "And obviously KP is very good at that, probably the best in the W at that. We have other guards who are good at other things. Two and threes, so we just got to, I'm not saying toot the offense, but we definitely got to cater to our players."

Earlier on June 21, Justin Russo spoke to Plum about the recurring right ankle injury that caused her to miss three games this season. Plum described it as a soft-tissue problem but wanted to play regardless. This latest setback, however, involves her left leg and is unrelated to the earlier ankle issue.

The numbers reveal why Plum’s absence is catastrophic.

The LA Sparks' Offense and Defense Can Determine Their Playoffs Chance

The Sparks have been decent when it comes to offense, averaging 88.8 points per game and ranking fifth in the league for the category, according to the WNBA.

Plum has been the offensive leader of the team, though, averaging 23.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game. She ranks second in the league for points.

With Plum gone, the second-highest scorer on the team becomes Nneka Ogwumike, averaging 16.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. The points-and-assists area feels incomplete without Plum, making their playoff run difficult.

Then comes defense. The Sparks rank last for defensive rating, having a defensive rating of 114.5. They also rank last when it comes to allowing points, with the Sparks allowing 94.3 points per game.

They have also averaged the second-lowest blocks this season, averaging only 3.2 blocks per game. They have been weak in the paint as well, allowing 42 points per game and ranking 13th in the league in that category.

They currently hold an 8-10 record and stand fifth in the Western Conference standings and 10th overall. Only the top eight teams qualify for the playoffs.

At 8-10, the Sparks are two games behind eighth place with 12 games remaining, meaning they’ll need to win roughly two-thirds of their games to clinch a spot.

If they want to qualify for the playoffs, they will have to improve massively on their defensive tactics and find a way to score and assist more amid Plum's absence.

The Sparks will play the Seattle Storm next on July 6 at crypto.com Arena.

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Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Koushik Biswas