Strange Explanation from Sparks Star Behind League‑wide Drop in Three‑Point Accuracy

Over the last few weeks, fans and analysts across the WNBA have noticed a sharp and unusual decline in three‑point shooting efficiency. Most noticeably, Caitlin Clark—who carries a 33.5 % career mark from deep—has made just 1 of 23 attempts across her latest three games. That alarming slump raised red flags.
But it’s not an isolated case. Analyst Trysta Krick highlighted on Instagram that several WNBA stars—including Sabrina Ionescu, Marina Mabrey, Paige Bueckers, and Kelsey Plum—have all struggled with three‑point attempts recently. The narrative quickly centered on fatigue, pressure, and potential shooting mechanics gone awry.

When asked about this across‑the‑board slump, Kelsey Plum lit up social media with a response so bizarre it went viral: players are having trouble hitting threes because they’re simply “tired”, and she even added a laughing emoji at the end. That terse answer alone sparked frenzy, confusion, and a flood of conversation across platforms. New York Post+4Swish Appeal+4Swish Appeal+4Swish Appeal+2SB Nation+2

League Averages Reflect a Legitimate Dip

According to Basketball Reference, the league‑wide three‑point percentage in 2025 stands at 33.1 %, down slightly from 33.8 % in 2024, and further down from 34.7 % in 2023. These numbers confirm that something is indeed off—not just for stars like Clark and Plum, but across the board. herhoopstats.com

Kelsey Plum’s Shooting Trends: Career vs. 2025 Hype

Kelsey Plum—now 30 years old and the heart of the Los Angeles Sparks—has an impressive career three‑point percentage of 38.6 %, and sported a 36.8 % mark in 2024. This reputation puts her among the more reliable shooters in league history. RealGM Basketball+1

But in 2025, things look different. Plum is averaging career‑high scoring—20.1 points per game, along with 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds—and earning more usage than ever before. Yet her three‑point percentage is hovering around 36.4 % to 37.3 %, depending on the source, which is below both her career average and her output in recent seasons. espn.com+7espn.com+7statmuse.com+7

Why Is Plum Underperforming from Deep?

Critically, Plum’s 2025 shooters’ profile shows a jump in volume and pressure: she’s attempted 7.0 three‑point shots per game, up from around 6.3 in 2024, and she’s handling more offensive responsibility after moving to the Sparks in a three‑team trade. Formerly with Las Vegas Aces—where she shot 36.8 % from three in 2024 and 38.9 % in 2023—she flourished as a complimentary scorer. RealGM BasketballSB Nation

Despite the dip in three‑point efficiency, Plum’s overall FG% remains strong—around 40.7 % to 41.0 %. Her free‑throw rate is elite (over 91 %), suggesting her scoring efficiency isn’t collapsing overall, just the long ball specifically. africa.espn.comespn.co.uk

The “Tired” Remark: More Than Flippant

Plum’s quip—that players are simply “tired”—may come off dismissive, but it’s not devoid of context. A recent Swish Appeal story noted that the Sparks went 5–11 in their early stretch and only snapped a four‑game losing skid recently. Even though LA improved to around 7–14, the team remains young, injured in key spots like Cameron Brink, and still finding cohesion post‑trade. SB Nation+2Silver Screen and Roll+2

Plum’s leadership is central: despite the team’s struggles, she continues to produce career bench‑marks in scoring and assists. But with heavier usage under higher defensive attention, fatigue—even mental fatigue—can indeed affect three‑point timing, release rhythm, and confidence.

CBT: Chance, Bad Luck, & Timing

Beyond Plum’s individual case, there’s a broader statistical phenomenon at play: regression toward the mean. As more players and teams substantially raise their three‑point attempt rates—WNBA teams are averaging 24.7 attempts per game this season vs about 22.8 last season—the law of averages means more misses will occur, especially on riskier attempts. Swish Appeal

In simpler terms: the league is collectively shooting more threes than ever. Even elite shooters like Plum face tougher defense and variance. When volume increases, fewer shots will fall, even for great shooters.

Spotlight on Other Stars

Krick’s Instagram post emphasizes that other high‑profile shooters have also seen three‑point shooting struggles—Sabrina Ionescu, Marina Mabrey, Paige Bueckers—indicating it’s not simply Plum’s fault. In Ionescu’s case, some reports suggest she’s focusing more on driving and facilitating after all her deep attempts have become less consistent. Swish Appeal

Caitlin Clark’s cold spell—just 1 made three on 23 attempts across three games—underscores how situational slumps can spiral even for shooters with stellar track records like her 33.5 % career rate.

Breaking Down the Key Numbers

Player / Context
Career 3P%
2023
2024
2025 (to date)
Notes

Kelsey Plum (career)
38.6%
.389
.368
~36.4–37.3%
Increased shot volume, new team role SB Nation+13RealGM Basketball+13espn.com+13

WNBA League Average
—
34.7%
33.8%
33.1%
Overall decline with rising volume herhoopstats.comSwish Appeal

Caitlin Clark
33.5%
—
—
1-for-23 in 3 games
Recent slump fanning concern

Other stars (Ionescu, Bueckers, Mabrey)
various
—
—
Recent dip reported
Likely part of league trend New York Postherhoopstats.com

So Is Plum Being “Unfair” by Saying They’re Tired?

It depends on how you interpret it. On one hand, it reads as flippant—especially given the statistical scope. On the other, team context, heavier usage, amplified defensive pressure, and a higher volume of long‑range attempts can indeed sap shooting rhythm over time.

Considering that the Sparks are rebuilding chemistry and leaning on Plum for both scoring and playmaking, mental and physical fatigue could realistically contribute to a minor efficiency dip—especially from beyond the arc.

The Real Lesson: Context Matters

Plum’s remark generated headlines because it was so simplistic—but there’s nuance behind it. When you frame it as shorthand for higher pressure, more minutes, increased defensive targeting, and mental wear over a season, it begins to make sense.

She isn’t denying there are real shooting mechanics, skill, or even luck issues at play—she’s just reducing the narrative, wittingly or not, to one aggregator word: tired.

Final Thoughts

The data support that three‑point shooting has dropped across the WNBA in 2025, with the average down to 33.1 % from 33.8 % in 2024 and 34.7 % in 2023. herhoopstats.comRealGM Basketball

Kelsey Plum, despite a career average of 38.6 %, is shooting in the mid‑to‑upper 30s this season—below her norm and career bests—while leading in points and playmaking usage. RealGM Basketballespn.co.uk

Her social‑media response—that players are “tired”—raises eyebrows but may reflect real wear and tear from heavy burden and rising volume.

Regression and increased attempts mean even elite shooters are due for slumps. Caitlin Clark and others are showing it’s context and volume more than skill decay.

Finally: fatigue is real, both physically and mentally. And while her wording was minimal, Plum may have inadvertently tapped into a deeper narrative about stress, defensive focus, and elevated demands for shooting stars.