Los Angeles Sparks All-Star guard Kelsey Plum makes headlines on the court as an elite scorer and one of the faces of the WNBA. However, now she is in the news for seemingly throwing shade in the direction of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark while discussing the “Pay Us What You Owe Us” shirts that the WNBA players wore at the All-Star Game.
The shirts were a justifiable rallying call as the All-Stars unite and demand salaries commensurate with the immense value they bring to the WNBA during the ongoing CBA negotiations. Well, Plum took a shot at Clark while discussing the shirts, and a three-time NBA champion who played with Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls weighed in with his thoughts on the “petty” shade.
Former NBA Center Calls Out Kelsey Plum For Unprovoked Jab At Caitlin Clark
WNBA players are currently engaged in tense labor talks with the WNBA owners over the new CBA, and multiple stars have expressed their frustration with how the negotiations are going. This is what ultimately prompted them to send a message during All-Star warmups, but Plum was quick to point out that Clark and her team of All-Stars weren’t very involved in planning the stunt.
During a press conference alongside fellow New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, Plum talked about how the powerful statement to wear the t-shirts originated from a players’ meeting.
“It was a very powerful moment. … It was a genuine surprise. The t-shirt, just united front, was determined this morning,” Plum said. “Not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that.”
Immediately, Ionescu shook her head and sarcastically interjected, “That really needed to be mentioned…”
KP: “It was a very powerful moment. As players, we didn’t know that that was going to happen. It was a genuine surprise. The t shirt was determined this morning. Not to tattletale: 0 members of Team Clark were very present for that” https://t.co/2fXgaAuqMR pic.twitter.com/awIfnqLjxv
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 20, 2025
It’s unclear why Plum brought this up, but it’s strange to call out Clark and Co. immediately after talking about the All-Stars being a united front. Plum is the First Vice President of the WNBPA, so she is intimately involved in the CBA talks.
For context, all of the All-Stars wore the shirts — Clark included — making it all the more perplexing that Plum felt the need for this unprompted shot at the Fever phenom’s lack of involvement in planning the stunt.
Three-time NBA champion Stacey King didn’t appreciate Plum’s stray, describing it as “petty” and explaining why it’s “hurting their league.”
I’m all for these ladies getting what they deserve because they deserve it. But as you’re fighting for better salaries and you’re portraying a united front at your biggest event you still find away to throw shade at Caitlin Clark…Why??? Look at Sabrina’s reaction to Plums… https://t.co/LrCYxwh8cv
— Stacey King (@Stacey21King) July 20, 2025
“I’m all for these ladies getting what they deserve because they deserve it. But as you’re fighting for better salaries and you’re portraying a united front at your biggest event, you still find a way to throw shade at Caitlin Clark…why???
“Look at Sabrina’s reaction to Plums comment it says a lot. Some of these girls are really petty and someone needs to explain to them it’s hurting their league. It’s sad to see!”
King played alongside Jordan on the Bulls, winning championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He played eight years in the NBA, averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 438 games before taking his talents overseas.
After his playing days, King made the transition to broadcasting, where he became widely respected as a lead color commentator and studio analyst for Bulls games.
Clearly, King feels the WNBA players would be in a better spot if they were united rather than tearing each other down — particularly the league’s most popular player. Clark is a generational talent, and her arrival in the WNBA has led to record popularity and revenue. However, her peers often seem annoyed by the attention she has received.
However, ESPN’s WNBA insider Sarah Spain called out King and pushed back on the narrative that Plum was bashing Clark. Spain argued that Plum was joking about Team Clark All-Stars partying the night before and missing the morning meeting rather than taking a shot at the Fever star.
“Sabrina Ionescu (on the left) WAS ON Team Clark. Kelsey Plum (on the right) was making a crack about Team Clark partying & not making it to the morning meeting,” Spain posted. “This is why I urge folks to get their W news from sources who know literally anything about the W.
“And if you don’t know what you’re talking about, don’t even know that ‘Team Clark’ refers to one of the All-Star teams and isn’t about Caitlin Clark, then why comment? Especially if your comment is to try to start a fight & accuse women of being petty? Tired of this sh**.”
. @Stacey21King, Sabrina Ionescu (on the left) WAS ON Team Clark. Kelsey Plum (on the right) was making a crack about Team Clark partying & not making it to the morning meeting.
This is why I urge folks to get their W news from sources who know literally anything about the W. https://t.co/oA8xD7L8EM
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) July 21, 2025
This context certainly changes how Plum’s comment is perceived.
It suggests that Plum did not aim to criticize Clark or her team members, but was instead joking about their partying the previous night.