KELSEY Plum has admitted she got it wrong by joking about Caitlin Clark after last month’s All-Star game.
Amid tense collective bargaining agreement negotiations, WNBA All-Stars, including Clark, wore shirts with the message “pay us what you owe us”.
Caitlin Clark wore a T-shirt with a strongmessage[/caption]
Kelsey Plum made a joke at Clark’s expense[/caption]
It was decided that players would wear the shirts during a meeting ahead of the game.
Speaking after the fact, Plum appeared to take aim at Clark during a press conference.
Sat alongside Sabrina Ionescu, the 30-year-old said, “But the T-shirt, just, united front, was determined this morning, that we had a meeting for.
“And, you know, not to tattletale, but zero members of Team Clark were very present for that.”
Appearing on Bird’s Eye View with Sue Bird, Plum sought to set the record straight on her previous comments.
The Los Angeles Sparks star said, “I made a bad joke. I made a really bad joke. Tough one. Hindsight is 20/20.
“Because of the shirts, because of the fans, I should have known it was a way more serious moment than a typical All-Star Game.
“I went into that press conference very happy-go-lucky, we won, had a great weekend. My family was here; it was just a great time.
“The questions came in, and they were like CBA, this, this.
“And honestly, I was like, ‘Hey, Team Clark, they didn’t make it to the meeting either.’ Just making a joke to make the room lighter.
“I was making a joke that they’re hungover, even though our team nickname was hungover.
“So at least we made it. Obviously, we’re all on the same page. We all wore the shirts, we’re all unified.
“If anything, I was more discouraged because it took away from the moment of what we were trying to do.
“You don’t even get to respond. And if you do, you seem defensive.
‘THICK SKIN’
“That’s why I didn’t even say anything.
“I was like, alright. So, you just have to let it go, thick skin.”
Clark, 23, did not publicly respond to Plum’s verbal jab.
The Indiana Fever superstar has struggled with injury of late.
Clark has not played since July 15 due to a groin issue.
The Fever hope to have their superstar back before the end of the season.
