Los Angeles Sparks All-Star Kelsey Plum ignited controversy following her remarks about Caitlin Clark during the WNBA All-Star weekend. Plum addressed tensions surrounding the
“Pay Us What You Owe Us”
warmup shirts worn by players, highlighting a perceived lack of coordination from Clark’s team.
During her postgame press conference, Plum, who played on Napheesa Collier’s team, described how some members of Clark’s squad were not fully present when both teams met to discuss the warmup shirt message. She said,
“It was a very powerful moment. As players, we didn’t know that that was going to happen. It was a genuine surprise,”
referring to the fans chanting pay them while WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert spoke on the court.
Caitlin Clark’s Response Adds Fuel to the Fire
After the game, Plum shared photos from All-Star weekend on her Instagram page, which sparked a slew of comments from Caitlin Clark supporters. Clark herself responded amidst the backlash with a pointed message in the comment section, stating,
“Thank u for the Nike ad,”
turning the conversation back toward sponsorship and support.
Current Status of Caitlin Clark’s Injury and Court Return
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is still sidelined due to a groin injury sustained on July 15 during a game against the Connecticut Sun in Boston. The injury has prevented her participation in the WNBA’s 3-Point Contest and the All-Star Game, although she attended the events at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Fever coach Stephanie White provided an update, saying,
“She’s going to see some doctors and get more tests early in the week,”
and added,
“I don’t expect her to be available on Tuesday, so we’re just going to take it one day at a time and let her get evaluations early this week and then, once we’ve done that, hopefully we’ll have more of a clear vision of what it looks like.” —Stephanie White, Indiana Fever coach
This marks Clark’s fourth muscle injury this season, contributing to her missing 11 of the Fever’s 23 regular-season games so far. The upcoming medical evaluations will help determine the timeline for her return to play.
Implications of the Conflict on WNBA Dynamics
The disagreement between Kelsey Plum and Caitlin Clark highlights underlying tensions within the league concerning player recognition and advocacy for fair compensation. Plum’s careful remarks about the warmup shirts contrast with Clark’s direct social media comeback, reflecting broad emotions following the public display of unity during the All-Star events. As the season continues, the impact of these exchanges on team dynamics and league negotiations over player pay remains a developing storyline.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did they trade Kelsey Plum?
A. After being core-designated by the Aces, Plum decided to join the Sparks. She was asked why she thought Los Angeles could offer a player experience similar to Las Vegas.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum get surgery?
A. Kelsey Plum, a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, had a small procedure on her right shoulder to fix her labrum. She is expected to completely recover and start training in the offseason before the 2023 WNBA season. This upcoming season will be Plum’s sixth year playing in the WNBA.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw a T-shirt to her dad?
A. Kelsey Plum’s throw was not just long, but also very precise. She managed to toss the T-shirt straight to her dad, Jerry. There was a news story about this event some time ago, confirming it was indeed him.
Q. Did Kelsey Plum throw a shirt to her dad?
A. Kelsey Plum not only threw the shirt a long distance, but it hit the target perfectly. She tossed it directly to her father.