Kelsey Plum’s season with the Phoenix Mercury has come to an end — and her participation with the U.S. women’s basketball team in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup is over before it began.
Plum, who is dealing with an injury to her lower left leg, posted the news Monday on social media.
“I did everything I could to be back on the court, but just ran out of time,” she wrote on Instagram. “After careful consideration and conversations with my family, team doctors, coaching staff, and front office, the decision has been made to shut it down through (the) remainder of the season and focus on getting my body back to 100%.”
Plum joined Las Vegas Aces star and fellow two-time World Cup gold medalist A’ja Wilson in pulling out of the event Monday, USA Basketball announced.
A specific injury was not announced for Wilson, the four-time WNBA MVP for the Las Vegas Aces.
Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen were added to the U.S. team, which will compete at the World Cup which starts Friday in Berlin.
Plum, 32, missed six weeks earlier this season due to injury and made her Mercury debut on Aug. 3, one day after Phoenix acquired the five-time All-Star from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for guard Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round selection.
Over 17 games (15 starts) this season, Plum averaged 21.5 points, 5.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds. In five appearances (three starts) for Phoenix, she averaged 15.8 points and 2.8 assists.
“Kelsey is a competitor, and she wants nothing more than to be on the court with her teammates and competing for the Mercury,” general manager Nick U’Ren said in a statement. “We know how much it means to her to play, and how much she means to our fans. Ultimately, this was about doing what is best for Kelsey’s long-term health and making sure she has the time and support she needs to return to the court at full strength.”
–Field Level Media
