SAN FRANCISCO - With 18,064 fans wearing violet shirts playing center, making Golden State Love’s season opener the second highest home game debut in WNBA history, Kelsey Plum made his own history in the first game at Los Angeles.

Plum scored 37 points in his debut, which is the most players in the Sparks and the most players in all WNBAs in the season opener. Her six assists and five steals also made her the first WNBA player with at least 35 points, five assists and five steals.

"I'm really happy with my mentality tonight," Plum said. He scored 11 goals from the field and 11 goals from the free throw line. "I love basketball. I love playing basketball. I play games and we have a great team."

For much of her career, Plum has played with historical offensive producers such as three-time MVP A'ja Wilson during her six seasons at the Las Vegas ACE. But when Plum arrived in Los Angeles in the offseason, she immediately became the team's first choice.

Sparks hope she can help restore the stagnant offense, which has left them with many problems last season. They lack sufficient and consistent scores, and a general who can reliably pass to low-post players such as Dearica Hamby.

"I spent a lot of time studying, especially from a'ja," Plum said. "Watching her picking her attractions was just intentionally aggressive and when she wasn't aggressive. I don't think I'm doing well, but I'll keep getting better."

Plum blossoms are in the offseason, focusing on her strength and conditioning. Her goal is to be able to play a full 40 minutes at pace and work through contact - she did both on Friday night.

"That's what I'm used to, Kelsey," said Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase. "She was able to go downhill to her left, and we were talking about … but she was fearless. She wanted to get into the paint. If not, she wants one and one.

Los Angeles started half of the season with a 20-8 record, scoring 15 points from the Li team to a 15-point lead. However, Julie Vanloo, who was from Valkyries, saw three consecutive three-pointers, and by the end of the third quarter, the lead dropped to six points.

Plum said it was during that time that Spark's offense was quickly turned "difficult" and emphasized that there was room for growth.

"It's a new crime for everyone, so we have to be patient," Plum said. "We still have to find our rhythm. ...... We will get better when the timing and positioning, when it's open. I let the ball post the players on time and play it effectively. That's getting better over time, but we have a great group of athletes."

The fourth quarter saw much less speed and anger, but Los Angeles slowly controlled its defense and scored Golden State with seven points.

"I'm freaking out about the ability of this team, not about it," Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said. "Especially to win on the road, you have to have that mentality. … We answered the bell. It shows mental resilience."

Plum is one of four Sparks players who scored in double-digit numbers, with Hamby's 14, Rickea Jackson's 13 and Azura Stevens' 11 points.